Muscle Physiology Flashcards
Gastrocnemius
Adducts the foot and flexes the leg.
Gluteus Maximus
Largest and most posterior of the muscles.
Semitendinosus
Flexes the knee and can also extend the thigh at the hip.
Pronator Teres
Anatagonistic to the supinator.
Supinator
Supinates the arm.
Brachioradialis
Flex the forearm.
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Flexes and adducts the wrist.
Flexor carpi radialis
Flexes the wrist and abducts the palm of the hand.
Latissimus dorsi
Acts antagonistically to the pectoralis major. Extends the arm.
Rectus femoris
A superficial thigh muscle that extends the knee and flexes the thigh at the hip joint.
Sartorius
One of the body’s longest muscles.
Pectineus
A flat muscle that adducts and flexes the thigh.
Biceps brachii
A main flexor of the forearm.
Teres major
Extends the arm.
Subscapularis
Rotates the arm in the medial direction.
Internal intercostals
Decreases the size of the thorax during forced expiration.
External intercostals
Elevates the ribs during inspiration.
Pectoralis minor
Thin muscle close to the pectoralis major.
Deltoid
Prime abductor of the arm.
Pectoralis major
Flexes the arm and adducts it.
Transversus abdominis
Compresses the abdominal wall.
Rectus adbominis
Depresses the ribs and permits flexion at the waistline.
Trapezius
Elevates the clavicle and scapula to extend the head.
Scalene muscle
Aids in breathing.
Temporalis
Important muscle in mastication (chewing) as it elevates the mandible when the lower jaw moves.
Sternocleidomastoid
Flexes and bends the neck towards the shoulder.
Masseter
Elevates the mandible.
Nasalis
Elevates the corners of the nostrils.
Levator palpebrae superioris
Operates when one raises the upper eyelid.
Orbicularis oculi
Allows one to close the eyelid and to blink, squint, and perform other movements to protect the eye.
Mentalis
When one pouts, the skin of the chin is elevated and the lower lip is protruded.
Buccinator
Compresses the cheeks, like when playing a trumpet or blowing air. During chewing it moves the food back across the teeth inside the cheeks. (It buccinates)
Depressor labii inferioris
Depresses/lowers the lower lip.
Levator labii superioris
Raises the upper lip and is innervated by the facial nerve.
Obicularis oris
Protrudes the lips and compresses them against the teeth, while shaping them during speech.
