Superficial Posterior Muscles of the Body

Question 1

Occipitalis (Head/Neck/trunk/shoulder muscles)

Answer 1

Origin
• Occipital and temporal bones
Insertion
• Cranial aponeurosis
Primary action(s)
• Fixes aponeurosis and pulls scalp posteriorly

Question 2

Trapezius (Head/Neck/trunk/shoulder muscles)

Answer 2

Origin
• Occipital bone and all cervical and thoracic vertebrae
Insertion
• Scapular spine and clavicle
Primary action(s)
• Raises, retracts, and rotates scapula

Question 3

Latissimus dorsi (Head/Neck/trunk/shoulder muscles)

Answer 3

Origin
• Lower spine and iliac crest
Insertion
• Proximal humerus
Primary action(s)
• Extends and adducts humerus

Question 4

Erector spinae (Head/Neck/trunk/shoulder muscles)

Answer 4

Origin
• Iliac crests, ribs 3–12, and vertebrae
Insertion
• Ribs, thoracic and cervical vertebrae
Primary action(s)
• Extends and laterally flexes spine

Question 5

Quadratus lumborum (Head/Neck/trunk/shoulder muscles)

Answer 5

Origin
• Iliac crest, lumbar fascia
Insertion
• Transverse processes of upper lumbar vertebrae
Primary action(s)
• Flexes spine laterally; extends spine

Question 6

Deltoid (Head/Neck/trunk/shoulder muscles)

Answer 6

Origin
• Scapular spine and clavicle
Insertion
• Humerus (deltoid tuberosity)
Primary action(s)
• Abducts humerus

Question 7

Triceps brachii (Arm/forearm muscles)

Answer 7

Origin
• Shoulder girdle and proximal humerus
Insertion
• Olecranon process of ulna
Primary action(s)
• Extends elbow

Question 8

Flexor carpi radialis (Arm/forearm muscles)

Answer 8

Origin
• Distal humerus
Insertion
• Second and third metacarpals
Primary action(s)
• Flexes wrist and abducts hand (see Figure 6.22)

Question 9

Flexor carpi ulnaris (Arm/forearm muscles)

Answer 9

Origin
• Distal humerus and posterior ulna
Insertion
• Carpals of wrist and fifth metacarpal
Primary action(s)
• Flexes wrist and adducts hand

Question 10

Flexor digitorum superficialis (Arm/forearm muscles)

Answer 10

Origin
• Distal humerus, ulna, and radius
Insertion
• Middle phalanges of second to fifth fingers
Primary action(s)
• Flexes wrist and fingers

Question 11

Extensor carpi radialis (Arm/forearm muscles)

Answer 11

Origin
• Humerus
Insertion
• Base of second and third metacarpals
Primary action(s)
• Extends wrist and abducts hand

Question 12

Extensor digitorum (Arm/forearm muscles)

Answer 12

Origin
• Distal humerus
Insertion
• Distal phalanges of second to fifth fingers
Primary action(s)
• Extends fingers

Question 13

Gluteus maximus (Hip/thigh/leg muscles)

Answer 13

Origin
• Sacrum and ilium
Insertion
• Proximal femur (gluteal tuberosity)
Primary action(s)
• Extends hip (when forceful extension is required)

Question 14

Gluteus medius (Hip/thigh/leg muscles)

Answer 14

Origin
• llium
Insertion
• Proximal femur
Primary action(s)
• Abducts thigh; steadies pelvis during walking

Question 15

Hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus) (Hip/thigh/leg muscles)

Answer 15

Origin
• Ischial tuberosity
Insertion
• Proximal tibia (head of fibula in the case of biceps femoris)
Primary action(s)
• Flex knee and extend hip

Question 16

Gastrocnemius (Hip/thigh/leg muscles)

Answer 16

Origin
• Distal femur
Insertion
• Calcaneus (heel via calcaneal tendon)
Primary action(s)
• Plantar flexes foot and flexes knee

Question 17

Soleus (Hip/thigh/leg muscles)

Answer 17

Origin
• Proximal tibia and fibula
Insertion
• Calcaneus
Primary action(s)
• Plantar flexes foot