MSK Muscle actions Flashcards
What is the action of Levator scapulae?
Elevates scapula
What is the action of trapezius?
Upper Fibres: Elevates and rotates scapula
Middle Fibres: retract Scapula
Lower Fibres: Pull scapula inferiorly
What is the action of latissimus dorsi?
Extends, adducts and medially rotates
upper limb
What is the action of the rhomboids?
Retract and medial rotation scapula
What is the action of Serratus posterior superior?
Elevates ribs 2-5
What is the action of serrates posterior inferior?
Depresses ribs 9-12
What is the action of erector spinae?
Acts unilaterally to laterally flex the
vertebral column. Acts bilaterally to
extend the vertebral column and head.
What is the action of Pectoralis major?
Adducts and medially rotates upper limb. Draws scapula
anteroinferior
Clavicular head only acts to flex upper limb
What is the action of Pectoralis minor?
Stabilises scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against
thoracic wall
What is the action of serratus anterior?
abducts and protracts scapula
What is the action of Supraspinatus?
Abducts the arm 0-15 degrees and assists deltoid for 15-90
degrees
What is the action of infraspinatus?
Lateral rotation
What is the action of subscapularis?
medial rotation and adduction
What is the action of teres minor?
lateral rotation and adduction
What is the action of teres major?
Adduction, extension & medial rotation
What is the action of deltoid?
Anterior fibres – flexion and medial rotation.
Posterior fibres – extension and lateral rotation.
Middle fibres – the major abductor of the arm (takes over from the supraspinatus, which abducts the first 15 degrees).
What is the action of biceps brachii
Flexes shoulder & elbow. Supinates forearm
What is the action of brachialis?
Flexes the elbow
What is the action of coracobrachialis?
Flexion and adduction of the shoulder joint
What is the action of triceps brachii and anconeus?
Extension of the elbow
What is the function of flexor carpi ulnaris?
Flexion and adduction of the wrist
What is the action of palmaris longus?
Flexion of the wrist
What is the action of pronator teres?
Pronates and weakly flexes the elbow
What is the action of brachioradialis?
flexes the elbow
What is the action of flexor digitorum superficialis?
flexes the wrist, MCP and PIP joints
What is the action of flexor digitorum profundus?
Flexes wrist, MCP, PIP and DIP joints
What is the action of flexor pollicis longus
Flexion of the thumb at the interphalangeal joint
What is the action of pronator quadratus?
Pronation
What is the action of extensor carpi radials longus?
Extends and abducts wrist
What is the action of extensor carpi radials brevis?
Extends and abducts wrist
What is the action of extensor digitorum?
Extends the wrist & digits at MCP, DIP and PIP joints
What is the action of extensor digiti minimi?
Extends wrist & little finger and MCP, DIP and PIP joints
What is the action of extensor carpi ulnaris?
Extension and abduction of wrist
What is the action of supinator?
Supination
What is the action of abductor pollicis longus?
Abduction of thumb
What is the action of extensor pollicis longus?
Extension of thumb at MCP and IP joint
What is the action of extensor pollicis brevis?
Extension of thumb at MCP joint