Muscle Anatomy Origins, Insertions, and Actions Quiz

Muscles of the Face

• Frontalis: originates from the galea aponeurotica, inserts into the skin of the forehead, and elevates the eyebrows
• Orbicularis oculi: originates from the medial orbital margin, inserts into the skin around the eye, and closes the eyelids
• Levator labii: originates from the maxilla, inserts into the skin of the upper lip, and elevates the upper lip
• Orbicularis oris: originates from the maxilla and mandible, inserts into the skin around the mouth, and closes the mouth
• Buccinator: originates from the maxilla and mandible, inserts into the angle of the mouth, and compresses the cheek

Muscles of Mastication

• Masseter: originates from the zygomatic arch, inserts into the mandible, and elevates the mandible
• Temporalis: originates from the temporal bone, inserts into the mandible, and elevates the mandible
• Medial pterygoid: originates from the medial pterygoid plate, inserts into the mandible, and elevates the mandible
• Lateral pterygoid: originates from the lateral pterygoid plate, inserts into the mandible, and depresses the mandible

Muscles of the Neck

• Sternocleidomastoid: originates from the sternum and clavicle, inserts into the mastoid process, and rotates the head
• Splenius capitis: originates from the ligamentum nuchae, inserts into the occipital bone, and extends the head
• Semispinalis capitis: originates from the thoracic vertebrae, inserts into the occipital bone, and extends the head

Muscles of the Thorax

• External intercostals: originates from the ribs, inserts into the ribs, and elevates the ribs
• Internal intercostals: originates from the ribs, inserts into the ribs, and depresses the ribs
• Diaphragm: originates from the xiphoid process, inserts into the ribs, and descends the diaphragm

Muscles of the Abdominal Wall

• Rectus abdominis: originates from the pubis, inserts into the xiphoid process, and flexes the spine
• External abdominal obliques: originates from the ribs, inserts into the iliac crest, and rotates the torso
• Internal abdominal obliques: originates from the thoracolumbar fascia, inserts into the iliac crest, and rotates the torso
• Transversus abdominis: originates from the thoracolumbar fascia, inserts into the pubis, and compresses the abdominal contents

Muscles of the Back

• Erector spinae: originates from the thoracolumbar fascia, inserts into the vertebrae, and extends the spine

Muscles of the Upper Limb

• Pectoralis major: originates from the clavicle and sternum, inserts into the humerus, and adducts the arm
• Pectoralis minor: originates from the ribs, inserts into the scapula, and depresses the scapula
• Serratus anterior: originates from the ribs, inserts into the scapula, and rotates the scapula
• Deltoid: originates from the clavicle and scapula, inserts into the humerus, and abducts the arm
• Trapezius: originates from the occipital bone, inserts into the scapula and clavicle, and elevates the scapula
• Latissimus dorsi: originates from the thoracolumbar fascia, inserts into the humerus, and adducts the arm
• Levator scapulae: originates from the transverse processes, inserts into the scapula, and elevates the scapula
• Rhomboids: originates from the thoracic vertebrae, inserts into the scapula, and rotates the scapula
• Supraspinatus: originates from the supraspinous fossa, inserts into the humerus, and abducts the arm
• Infraspinatus: originates from the infraspinous fossa, inserts into the humerus, and rotates the arm
• Subscapularis: originates from the subscapular fossa, inserts into the humerus, and rotates the arm
• Teres minor: originates from the scapula, inserts into the humerus, and adducts the arm
• Teres major: originates from the scapula, inserts into the humerus, and adducts the arm
• Biceps brachii: originates from the scapula, inserts into the radius, and flexes the elbow
• Brachialis: originates from the humerus, inserts into the ulna, and flexes the elbow
• Triceps brachii: originates from the scapula and humerus, inserts into the ulna, and extends the elbow
• Brachioradialis: originates from the humerus, inserts into the radius, and flexes the elbow
• Pronator teres: originates from the humerus and ulna, inserts into the radius, and pronates the forearm
• Supinator: originates from the humerus and ulna, inserts into the radius, and supinates the forearm
• Wrist flexors: originate from the forearm, insert into the phalanges, and flex the wrist
• Wrist extensors: originate from the forearm, insert into the phalanges, and extend the wrist

Muscles of the Lower Limb

• Iliopsoas: originates from the ilium and lumbar vertebrae, inserts into the femur, and flexes the hip
• Sartorius: originates from the anterior superior iliac spine, inserts into the tibia, and flexes the knee
• Adductor femoris group: originates from the pubis, inserts into the femur, and adducts the thigh
• Gracilis: originates from the pubis, inserts into the tibia, and adducts the thigh
• Gluteus maximus: originates from the ilium and sacrum, inserts into the femur, and extends the hip
• Gluteus minimus: originates from the ilium, inserts into the femur, and abducts the thigh
• Gluteus medius: originates from the ilium, inserts into the femur, and abducts the thigh
• Rectus femoris: originates from the anterior inferior iliac spine, inserts into the tibia, and extends the knee
• Vastus lateralis: originates from the femur, inserts into the tibia, and extends the knee
• Vastus medialis: originates from the femur, inserts into the tibia, and extends the knee
• Vastus intermedius: originates from the femur, inserts into the tibia, and extends the knee
• Biceps femoris: originates from the ischial tuberosity, inserts into the fibula, and flexes the knee
• Semitendinosus: originates from the ischial tuberosity, inserts into the tibia, and flexes the knee
• Semimembranosus: originates from the ischial tuberosity, inserts into the tibia, and flexes the knee
• Tibialis anterior: originates from the tibia, inserts into the foot, and dorsiflexes the ankle
• Gastrocnemius: originates from the femur, inserts into the calcaneus, and plantarflexes the ankle
• Soleus: originates from the tibia and fibula, inserts into the calcaneus, and plantarflexes the ankle