Muscles and Their Functions Flashcards

Study Notes

Upper Limb Muscles

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Wrist flexor located along the ulna.
Extensor Digitorum: Muscle responsible for extending the fingers.
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis: Muscle that flexes the fingers.
Biceps Brachii: Facilitates elbow flexion (bending).
Triceps Brachii: Muscle that extends the elbow.

Shoulder Muscles

Deltoid: Powerful muscle for shoulder abduction and elevating the arm overhead.
Trapezius: Muscle that enables shoulder shrugging and head extension.
Latissimus Dorsi: Adducts the shoulder and helps extend the shoulder joint.
Infraspinatus: Aids in lateral arm rotation.
Teres Minor: Assists in lateral arm rotation, smaller muscle than infraspinatus.

Core Muscles

External Oblique: Tenses abdominal wall and compresses abdominal contents; forms external sides of abdomen.
Rectus Abdominis: Known as the "straight muscle" of the abdomen.
Internal Oblique: Tenses abdominal wall; forms internal sides of abdomen.
Transversus Abdominis: Compresses abdominal contents; runs horizontally through the abdominal cavity.

Respiratory Muscles

External Intercostal: Muscles that help with inhalation by raising ribs.
Internal Intercostal: Pulls ribs inward and downward, facilitating exhalation.
Diaphragm: Major muscle involved in inhalation.

Facial and Jaw Muscles

Zygomaticus: Muscle used for smiling.
Buccinator: Helps manipulate food and allows sucking in of cheeks.
Orbicularis Oculi: Muscle responsible for winking.
Frontalis: Forms horizontal frown creases in the forehead.
Orbicularis Oris: Known as the "kissing muscle."
Masseter: Prime mover for jaw closure.
Temporalis: Synergist in jaw closure.

Neck and Hip Muscles

Sternocleidomastoid: Prominent in head flexion; has two origins.
Iliopsoas: Hip flexor made of two muscles, located deep in the pelvis.

Lower Limb Muscles

Gluteus Maximus: Engaged during hip extension, particularly in climbing stairs.
Gastrocnemius: Known as the "toe dancer's" muscle; a two-bellied calf muscle.
Tibialis Anterior: Responsible for foot inversion and dorsiflexion.
Adductors: Muscle group draws legs to the midline—important for standing at attention.
Quadriceps: Muscle group that extends the knee.
Hamstrings: Muscle group involved in thigh extension and knee flexion.
Peroneus Longus: Muscle group that plantar flexes and everts the foot.
Sartorius: A weak thigh flexor known as the "tailor's muscle," recognized for its strap-like structure.

Description

Test your knowledge of the muscles and their functions with these flashcards. Each card provides the name of a muscle along with its specific function, such as flexing or extending limbs. Perfect for students studying anatomy or physiology.