Muscle Location/Body Part Function (short)
Frontalis Forehead Raises eyebrows
Orbicularis oculi Around eyes Closes eyelids
Orbicularis oris Around mouth Controls lips
Masseter Jaw Chewing
Temporalis Side of head Helps chewing
Sternocleidomastoid Side of neck Turns and flexes head
Trapezius (upper) Base of skull to shoulder Moves scapula, supports arm
Deltoid Shoulder Raises arm
Biceps brachii Front upper arm Flexes elbow
Triceps brachii Back upper arm Extends elbow
Brachialis Beneath biceps Flexes elbow
Flexor carpi Front forearm Flexes wrist
Extensor carpi Back forearm Extends wrist
Thenar muscles Base of thumb (palm side) Moves thumb
Moves arm forward and across
Pectoralis major Chest
body
Intercostals Between ribs Help breathing
Diaphragm Below lungs Main breathing muscle
Rectus abdominis Front abdomen (“six-pack”) Flexes spine, supports core
External obliques Sides of abdomen Rotates and flexes trunk
Latissimus dorsi Mid-lower back Moves arm down and back
Trapezius
Upper/mid back Moves scapula, posture
(middle/lower)
Erector spinae Along spine Extends and supports spine
Gluteus maximus Buttocks Extends and rotates thigh
Gluteus medius Upper outer hip Abducts thigh
Runs diagonally across
Sartorius Flexes thigh and leg
thigh
Quadriceps (4 muscles) Front thigh Extends knee
Hamstrings (3 muscles) Back thigh Flexes knee, extends hip
Adductors Inner thigh Pull legs together
Gastrocnemius Calf (back lower leg) Plantar flexes foot (tiptoes)
Soleus Under gastrocnemius Plantar flexes foot
Tibialis anterior Front lower leg Dorsiflexes foot (lifting toes)
Peroneus longus Side of lower leg Everts foot
Flexor digitorum Bottom of foot Flexes toes