The Muscles of the Limbs

Muscles of anterior arm showing the flexor carpi ulnaris in the orientation of the body and in the orientation of the counter top display.

Muscles of anterior arm showing the brachioradialis in the orientation of the body and orientation on counter top.

The muscles of the arm attach the brachial region (upper arm area) to the antebrachial region (lower arm area). These muscles cross the elbow joint to insert on the forearm bones (radius and ulna) and function to flex and extend that area. Walls of fascia divide the arm into two muscle compartments: the posterior extensors and anterior flexors.

The Biceps Brachii

Function = Flexion of forearm

The biceps brachii is a "two-headed" fusiform muscle. The biceps brachii functions to flex the forearm and to supinates it. This muscle cannot flex the forearm without also supinating it, so it is ineffective when one lifts a heavy object with a pronated hand that must stay pronated. (This is why doing chin-ups with palms facing anteriorly is harder than with palms facing posteriorly.)

By CFCF - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44309314

The Brachioradialis

Function = Flexes forearm at the elbow

The brachioradialis is a weak flexor muscle of the forearm that function to flex the forearm at the elbow.
It is the superficial muscle that lies mostly in the forearm.

Animated GIF By Anatomography - en:Anatomography
(setting page of this image), CC BY-SA 2.1 jp, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27447210

The Triceps gets its name from the fact that it has three "heads";

KEY -
Long head (RED)
Lateral head (YELLOW)
Medial head (GREEN)

Triceps Brachii

Function = Main extensor of forearm

The main extensor (prime mover) of the forearm is the triceps brachii. The triceps brachii function to extend the arm, which increases the angle between the upper and lower arm. As the arm extends, the elbow straightens. The triceps brachii is the antagonist of the flexors of the forearm.

Posterior View of the Arm

Pronator Teres

Function = Pronation of forearms and hands

The pronator teres is a muscle of the human body (located mainly in the forearm) that assists in the pronation of the forearm. The pronator teres muscle is located on the anterior portion of the forearm just below the antecubital region (inner elbow area).

Illustration is showing an anterior view of the forearm.

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris

Function = Flexes and adducts wrist/hand

The extensor carpi ulnaris is a skeletal muscle located on the "ulnar side" of the forearm (this is the portion of the arm that is "under" the radius when you do a "thumb up"). It is visible on the anterior aspect of the forearm. It acts to extend and adduct at the carpus/wrist from anatomical position. Being an extensor muscle, extensor carpi ulnaris is on the posterior side of the forearm.

All flexors of the wrist will be located at the inner forearm.

Extensor Digitorium

Function = Extends wrist and medial digits (phalanges)

All wrist extensors are located on the back of the forearm.
The extensor digitorum muscle is located at the posterior forearm. It extends the medial four digits of the hand, the wrist, and the elbow. It tends to separate the fingers as it extends them.

The extensor digitorum acts principally on the proximal phalanges.

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Function = flexion and adduction the hand

The flexor carpi ulnaris muscle is a muscle located on the posterior aspect of the forearm that functions to flex and adduct the hand.

Extensor Digitorium Superficialis

Function = Flexes hand and middle phalanges.

Flexes hand and middle phalanges. This flexor muscle is the important for speed and flexion against resistance.

By Anatomist90 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17223953

Muscles of the Legs

Supporting, balancing, and propelling the body is the work of the muscular system of the legs and feet. From the large, strong muscles of the buttocks and legs to the tiny, fine muscles of the feet and toes, these muscles can exert tremendous power while constantly making small adjustments for balance – whether the body is at rest or in motion.

DIAGRAMS!

Medial View of Leg Muscles

Medial View of Leg Muscles as Oriented on the Couter

Medial View of Leg Muscles as Oriented in the Body

Lateral View of Leg Muscles

Lateral Leg as Oriented on Counter

Lateral Leg as Oriented on the Body

Anterior View of Leg Muscles

Posterior View of Leg

Iliacus Muscles

Function = flexes the thigh (femur) at the hip, adducts thigh, medially rotates thigh.

The iliacus muscle originates at the illium, which is located on the inside of the hip (coxal) bones (at the anterior aspect). The function of the iliacus muscles are to lifting (flex) the femur forward. The iliacus muscle is part of the Iliopsoas which is the prime mover in thigh flexion and in flexing trunk (as when bowing).
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that permits flexion, extention, adduction, abduction, and rotation of the thigh. The muscles that flex the thigh at the hip originate from the vertebral column and pelvis and pass anterior to (in front of ) the hip joint. These muscles include the illiacus muscles and the rectus femoris.

Animated GIF By Anatomography - en:Anatomography (setting page of this image), CC BY-SA 2.1 jp, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27547285

GLUTEAL MUSCLES

CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=545381

Each of these muscles originate at the ilium and the sacrum and insert at the femur. The gluteal muscles allow for the extension of the thigh (femur) and abduction of the thigh (femur), as well as the external rotation and internal rotation of the hip joint.

The muscles of the buttocks (gluteal muscles) include.

gluteus maximus
gluteus medius
gluteus minimus

Gluteus Maximus

The thigh extensors arise posterior to the hip joint and include the gluteus maximus and hamstrings. It is the largest and most superficial of gluteus muscles. This muscle forms most of the mass of the buttocks. The gluteus maximus is the main extensor of thigh. It functions to assist in stair climbing and is able to laterally rotate and adduct the thigh.

Gluteus Medius

A portion of the gluteus medius lies superior to gluteus maximus. The inferior portion of the gluteus medius lies underneath (deep to) the gluteus maximus. The gluteus medius is one of the three gluteal muscles which lie on the outer portion of the pelvis at the posterior aspect.

By Anatomography - en:Anatomography (setting page of this image), CC BY-SA 2.1 jp, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27657573

Hamstring Muscles

The hamstring refers to a group of muscles that lie at the posterior aspect of the thigh. The hamstring muscles cross (and therefore act upon) both the hip joint and the knee joint. The hamstring is the single large tendon found behind the knee or comparable area.The hamstrings include the following muscles from medial to lateral:

The semimembranosus
The semitendinosus
The biceps femoris

Theses hamstring muscles have similar structure and function. They each originate at the ischial tuberosity of the hip bone and travel over the posterior of the knee joint and inserts in either the tibia or the fibula of the lower leg. The hamstring muscle function in the flexion of the knee joint and extension of the hip joint.The hamstrings play a crucial role in many daily activities such as walking, running, jumping, and controlling some movement in the trunk. In walking, they are most important as an antagonist to the quadriceps in the deceleration of knee extension.

The hamstring muscle function in the flexion of the knee joint and extension of the hip joint.
IMAGE courtesy of http://bodybuilding-wizard.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/machine-hip-flexor-1-3.jpg

The Semimembranosus Muscle

Function = Extends thigh; flexes leg; medially rotates leg.

The semimembranosus muscle is medial hamstring muscle, lying toward the posterior portion of the inner thigh, underneath (deep) to the semitendinous muscle.

The Semitendinosus Muscle

Function = Extends thigh; flexes leg; medially rotates leg.

The semitendinosus muscle lies medial to biceps femoris. It is superficial, and has a long, slender tendon at the posterior aspect of the thigh.

The Biceps Femoris

Function = Extends thigh; flexes leg; medially rotates leg.

The biceps femoralis gets its name because it has "two heads"; a long head and a short head. The long head of the biceps femoris extends the hip, as when beginning to walk; both short and long heads flex the knee and laterally (outwardly) rotate the lower leg when the knee is bent.

Muscles of the Quadraceps

The quadriceps femoris gets its name from the Latin words that mean "four-headed muscle of the femur". The quadraceps femoris refers to a muscle group that consists of 4 muscles of the anterior (front) thigh area (or the femoral area. The muscles are extensors of the knee.

Quadriceps femoris, with different muscles in different colors.

rectus femoris - blue
vastus lateralis - yellow
vastus intermedius - green
vastus medialis - red

Rectus femoris occupies the middle of the thigh, covering most of the other three quadriceps muscles. It originates on the ilium. It is named from its straight course.

The other three lie deep to rectus femoris and originate from the body of the femur, which they cover from the trochanters to the condyles:

Vastus lateralis is on the lateral side of the femur (i.e. on the outer side of the thigh).
Vastus medialis is on the medial side of the femur (i.e. on the inner part thigh).
Vastus intermedius lies between vastus lateralis and vastus medialis on the front of the femur (i.e. on the top or front of the thigh), but underneath (deep) to the rectus femoris. Typically, it cannot be seen without dissection of the rectus femoris.

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that permits flexion, extention, adduction, abduction, and rotation of the thigh. The muscles that flex the thigh at the hip originate from the vertebral column and pelvis and pass anterior to (in front of ) the hip joint.

Rectus Femoris

Function = Extends leg and flexes thigh (brings thigh up)

The rectus femoris is the quadriceps muscle that lies at the middle of the front part of the thigh. It lies (wholly or partially) on top of the other three quadriceps muscles. It originates on the ilium. It is named from its straight-appearing orientation at the front of the thigh.

Vastus Medialis

Function = Extends leg; stabilize knee (patella)

The vastus medialis is located on the front medial portion of the thigh. It is one of the quadraceps muscles. The vastus medialis originates medially along the entire length of the femur. It is connected to the other quadriceps muscle.

By BodyParts3D/Anatomography - BodyParts3D/Anatomography, CC BY-SA 2.1 jp, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33808194

Vastus Lateralis

Function = Extends leg (brings leg straight) and stabilizes knee

The vastus lateralis muscle is the largest head of the
quadriceps group. It forms the lateral aspect of the thigh.

Vastus Intermedius

Function = Extends leg

Anterior view of thigh with Rectus Femoris removed

Vastus intermedius lies between vastus lateralis and vastus medialis on the front of the femur (i.e. on the top or front of the thigh), but underneath (deep) to the rectus femoris. Typically, it cannot be seen without dissection of the rectus femoris. In the 3D model, you will have to remove the rectus femoris in order to view the vastus intermedius.

By Original uploader was Chrizz at sv.wikipedia - Originally from sv.wikipedia; description page is/was here., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1582514

Sartorius Muscles

Function = Flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates thigh; flexes leg (weak) as in a soccer kick; helps produce the cross-legged position.

The sartorius muscle is the longest muscle in the human body. It is easily recognized because it is superficial, long and thin. It is a strap-like superficial muscle that runs obliquely across the front (anterior surface) of the thigh and inserts at the knee. The sartorius muscle is weak, but it assists other muscles in moving the hip joint and the knee joint.

The sartorius muscle is able to flex, adduct and laterally rotate the thigh. It also is able to flex the knee and medially rotates the leg. Turning the foot to look at the sole or sitting cross-legged demonstrates all four actions of the sartorius.

Gracilis Muscle

Function = Aducts thigh, flexes and medially rotates leg

The gracilis muscle is the most superficial muscle on the inner thigh. The muscle fibers originate at the pubis and run vertically downward, spans the knee joint, then inserts into the tibia. The gracilis muscle functions to adduct the lower limb.
The muscle adducts, medially rotates, and flexes the hip as above, and also aids in flexion of the knee.

There are five groin (adductor) muscles; three of them are called the 'short adductors' (pectineus, adductor brevis andadductor longus) and the other two are called the 'longadductors' and consist of gracilis and adductor magnus.

Adductor Longus

Function = adducts the thigh

The adductor longus is a muscle located in the inner thigh area. One of the adductor muscles of the hip, its main function is to adduct the thigh.

Gastrocnemius Muscle

The anatomical name for your calf muscle is the gastrocnemius. The gastrocnemius muscle is named from the Latin words for "stomach" and "leg", because is kind of looks like a stomach (bulging region) of your leg. It is a powerful muscle of the lower posterior leg that has two heads. The gastrocnemius muscles originate just above the knee and insert at the heel.

Tibialis Anterior

By Chrizz from sv, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3086148

The Muscular system