Table of muscles of the human body: Upper limb

This article lists the muscles found in the human upper limbs.

Legend

quadriceps femoris

rectus femoris

vastus lateralis

vastus intermedius

vastus medialis

Example of formatting used in tables to denote muscles and muscle groups.

The following tables of muscles have seven columns:

• Muscle, simply the name of the muscle
• Origin, the fixed attachment point of one end of the muscle that does not move during a muscle contraction (usually a bone)
• Insertion, the opposite attachment point, which does move when the muscle contracts (usually a bone)
• Artery, the main vessel that feeds blood to the muscle
• Innervation, the main nerve that supplies motor control to the muscle
• Action, the visible result of the muscle contraction/relaxation (see biomechanics and human kinetics for more)
• Antagonist, a muscle with the equal but opposite action

Often, a muscle is divided into other muscles; for example, the quadriceps femoris muscle is further subdivided into the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius and vastus medialis. In these cases, the name of the muscle group is italicized and the component muscles are indented. An example appears to the right.

For more information on many of the terms used within these tables, see anatomical terms of location, anatomical terms of motion, medical terminology, list of human anatomical features and outline of human anatomy.

Vertebral column

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
trapezius	down the midline, from the external occipital protuberance, the nuchal ligament, the medial part of the superior nuchal line, and the spinous processes of the vertebrae C7-T12	at the shoulders, into the lateral third of the clavicle, the acromion process and into the spine of the scapula	transverse cervical artery	major nerve supply is the cranial nerve XI. cervical nerves C3 and C4 receive information about pain in this muscle	retraction of scapula	Serratus anterior muscle
latissimus dorsi	spinous processes of thoracic T6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest and inferior 3 or 4 ribs	floor of intertubercular groove of the humerus	subscapular artery, dorsal scapular artery	thoracodorsal nerve	pulls the forelimb dorsally and caudally	deltoid, trapezius
rhomboids	nuchal ligaments, spinous processes of C7-T5 vertebrae	medial border of the scapula	dorsal scapular artery	dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)	Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.	Serratus anterior muscle
rhomboid major	spinous processes of the T2 to T5 vertebrae	medial border of the scapula, inferior to the insertion of rhomboid minor muscle	dorsal scapular artery	dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)	Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.	Serratus anterior muscle
rhomboid minor	nuchal ligaments and spinous processes of C7- to T1 vertebrae	medial border of the scapula, superior to the insertion of rhomboid major muscle	dorsal scapular artery	dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)	Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.	Serratus anterior muscle
levator scapulae	posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 - C4 vertebrae	superior part of medial border of scapula	dorsal scapular artery	cervical nerve (C3, C4) and dorsal scapular nerve (C5)	Elevates scapula and tilts its glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating scapula

Thoracic walls

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
pectoralis major	anterior surface of the medial half of the clavicle Sternocostal head: anterior surface of the sternum, the superior six costal cartilages	intertubercular groove of the humerus	pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk	lateral pectoral nerve and medial pectoral nerve Clavicular head: C5 and C6 Sternocostal head: C7, C8 and T1	Adducts and medially rotates the humerus. It also draws the scapula anteriorly and inferiorly. Clavicular head: flexes the humerus Sternocostal head: extends the humerus
pectoralis minor	3rd to 5th ribs, near their costal cartilages	medial border and superior surface of the coracoid process of the scapula	pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk	Medial pectoral nerves (C8, T1)	stabilizes the scapula by drawing it inferiorly and anteriorly against the thoracic wall
subclavius	first rib	subclavian groove of clavicle	thoracoacromial artery, clavicular branch	nerve to subclavius	depression of clavicle
serratus anterior	fleshy slips from the outer surface of upper 8 or 9 ribs	costal aspect of medial margin of the scapula	lateral thoracic artery (upper part), thoracodorsal artery (lower part)	long thoracic nerve (from roots of brachial plexus C5, C6, C7)	protract and stabilize scapula, assists in upward rotation	rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, trapezius

Shoulder

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
deltoid	clavicle, acromion, spine of the scapula	deltoid tuberosity of humerus	primarily posterior circumflex humeral artery	axillary nerve	shoulder abduction, flexion and extension	latissimus dorsi
teres major	posterior aspect of the inferior angle of the scapula	medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus	Subscapular and circumflex scapular arteries	lower subscapular nerve (segmental levels C5 and C6)	Internal rotation of the humerus
Rotator cuff
supraspinatus	supraspinous fossa of scapula	superior facet of greater tubercle of humerus	suprascapular artery	suprascapular nerve	abduction of arm and stabilizes humerus
infraspinatus	infraspinous fossa of the scapula	middle facet of greater tubercle of the humerus	suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries	suprascapular nerve	Lateral rotation of arm & Adduction of arm and stabilizes humerus
teres minor	lateral border of the scapula	inferior facet of greater tubercle of the humerus	posterior circumflex humeral artery and the circumflex scapular artery	axillary nerve	laterally rotates and adducts the arm
subscapularis	subscapular fossa	lesser tubercle of humerus	subscapular artery	upper subscapular nerve, lower subscapular nerve (C5, C6)	rotates medially humerus; stabilizes shoulder

Arm

Anterior compartment

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
coracobrachialis	coracoid process of scapula	medial humerus	brachial artery	musculocutaneous nerve	adducts humerus
biceps brachii	short head: coracoid process of the scapula. long head: supraglenoid tubercle	radial tuberosity	brachial artery	Musculocutaneous nerve (Lateral cord: C5, C6, C7)	flexes elbow and supinates forearm	Triceps brachii muscle
brachialis	anterior surface of the humerus, particularly the distal half of this bone	coronoid process and the tuberosity of the ulna	radial recurrent artery	musculocutaneous nerve	flexion at elbow joint

Posterior compartment

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
triceps brachii	long head: scapula lateral head: posterior humerus medial head: posterior humerus	olecranon process of ulna	Profunda brachii	radial nerve	extends forearm, caput longum adducts shoulder	Biceps brachii muscle
anconeus	Lateral epicondyle of the humerus	lateral surface of the olecranon process and the superior part of the posterior ulna	Profunda brachii, recurrent interosseous artery	radial nerve (C7, C8, and T1)	partly blended in with the triceps, which it assists in extension of the forearm. Stabilises the elbow and abducts the ulna during pronation.

Forearm

Anterior compartment

Superficial

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
pronator teres	humeral head: medial epicondyle of humerus (common flexor tendon) ulnar head: coronoid process of the ulna	radius	ulnar artery and radial artery	median nerve	pronation of forearm, flexes elbow	Supinator muscle
palmaris longus	medial epicondyle of humerus (common flexor tendon)	palmar aponeurosis	ulnar artery	median nerve	wrist flexor	Extensor carpi radialis brevis, Extensor carpi radialis longus, Extensor carpi ulnaris
flexor carpi radialis	medial epicondyle of humerus (common flexor tendon)	Bases of second and third metacarpal bones	ulnar artery	Median nerve	Flexion and abduction at wrist	Extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle, Extensor carpi radialis longus muscle
flexor carpi ulnaris	medial epicondyle of the humerus (common flexor tendon)	pisiform	ulnar artery	muscular branches of ulnar nerve	flexion of wrist	Extensor carpi ulnaris muscle
flexor digitorum superficialis	medial epicondyle of the humerus (common flexor tendon), as well as parts of the radius and ulna.	phalanges	ulnar artery	median nerve	flexor of fingers (primarily at proximal interphalangeal joints)	Extensor digitorum muscle

Deep

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
pronator quadratus	medial, anterior surface of the ulna	lateral, anterior surface of the radius	anterior interosseous artery	median nerve (anterior interosseous nerve)	pronates the forearm	Supinator muscle
flexor digitorum profundus	ulna	distal phalanges	anterior interosseous artery	median (anterior interosseous), muscular branches of ulnar	flex hand, interphalangeal joints	Extensor digitorum muscle
flexor pollicis longus	The middle 2/4 of the volar  surface of the radius and the adjacent interosseus membrane. (Also occasionally a small origin slightly on the medial epicondyle of the ulna.)	The base of the distal phalanx of the thumb	Anterior interosseous artery	Anterior interosseous nerve (branch of median nerve) (C8, T1)	Flexion of the thumb	Extensor pollicis longus muscle, Extensor pollicis brevis muscle

Posterior compartment

Superficial

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
extensor digitorum	lateral epicondyle (common extensor tendon)	2nd and 3rd phalanges		posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)	extension of hand and fingers	Flexor digitorum superficialis muscle, Flexor digitorum profundus muscle
extensor digiti minimi	the anterior portion of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (common extensor tendon)	extensor expansion, located at the base of the proximal phalanx of the finger on the dorsal side	posterior interosseous artery which originates from the common interosseous artery and more proximally, the ulnar artery	posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)	extends the little finger at all joints	Flexor digiti minimi brevis
extensor carpi ulnaris	Common extensor tendon (lateral epicondyle), ulna	5th metacarpal	ulnar artery	posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)	extends and adducts the wrist	Flexor carpi ulnaris
Mobile wad
brachioradialis	Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus	Distal radius (Radial styloid process)	radial recurrent artery	radial nerve	Flexion of forearm
extensor carpi radialis longus	lateral supracondylar ridge	2nd metacarpal	radial artery	radial nerve	extensor at the wrist joint, abducts the hand at the wrist	Flexor carpi radialis muscle
extensor carpi radialis brevis	humerus at the anterior of lateral epicondyle (common extensor tendon)	base of the 3rd metacarpal	radial artery	deep branch of the radial nerve	extensor and abductor of the hand at the wrist joint	Flexor carpi radialis muscle

Deep

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
supinator	Lateral epicondyle of the humerus, supinator crest of ulna, radial collateral ligament, annular ligament	Lateral proximal radial shaft	radial recurrent artery	posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)	supinates forearm	Pronator teres, Pronator quadratus
extensor indicis	ulna	index finger (extensor hood)		posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)	extends index finger, wrist
Anatomical snuff box
abductor pollicis longus	ulna, radial styloid process	first metacarpal		posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)	abduction, extension of thumb	Adductor pollicis muscle
extensor pollicis brevis	radius	thumb, proximal phalanx	posterior interosseous artery	posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)	extension of thumb at metacarpophalangeal joint	Flexor pollicis longus muscle, Flexor pollicis brevis muscle
extensor pollicis longus	ulna	thumb, distal phalanx		posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)	extension of the thumb (metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal)	Flexor pollicis longus muscle, Flexor pollicis brevis muscle

Hand

Lateral volar

Thenar

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
opponens pollicis	trapezium and transverse carpal ligament	metacarpal bone of the thumb on its radial side		median nerve	Opposition of the thumb
flexor pollicis brevis	trapezoid, flexor retinaculum	thumb, proximal phalanx		median nerve, deep branch of ulnar nerve (medial head)	Flexion of thumb	Extensor pollicis longus muscle, Extensor pollicis brevis muscle
abductor pollicis brevis	Transverse carpal ligament, the scaphoid and trapezium	Radial base of proximal phalanx of thumb and the thumb extensor s		Median nerve	Abduction of thumb	Adductor pollicis muscle
adductor pollicis	Transverse head: anterior body of the third metacarpal Oblique head: bases of the second and the third metacarpals and the adjacent trapezoid and capitate bones	medial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb and the ulnar sesamoid		deep branch of ulnar nerve (T1)	adducts the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint	Abductor pollicis longus muscle, Abductor pollicis brevis muscle

Medial volar

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
palmaris brevis	flexor retinaculum (medial), palmar aponeurosis	palm		superficial branch of ulnar nerve	wrinkle skin of palm
Hypothenar
abductor minimi digiti	pisiform	base of the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit on the ulnar or medial side	ulnar artery	deep branch of ulnar nerve	Abduction of little finger
flexor digiti minimi brevis	hamate bone	little finger	ulnar artery	deep branch of ulnar nerve	flexes little finger	extensor digiti minimi muscle
opponens digiti minimi	Hook of hamate and flexor retinaculum	Medial border of 5th metacarpal	ulnar artery	deep branch of ulnar nerve (C8 and T1)	Draws 5th metacarpal anteriorly and rotates it, bringing little finger (5th digit) into opposition with thumb

Intermediate

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
lumbrical	flexor digitorum profundus	extensor expansion	superficial palmar arch, common palmar digital arteries, deep palmar arch, dorsal digital artery	deep branch of ulnar nerve, median nerve	flex metacarpophalangeal joints, extend interphalangeal joints
dorsal interossei	metacarpals	proximal phalanges	Dorsal metacarpal artery and palmar metacarpal artery	deep branch of ulnar nerve	abduct finger	Palmar interossei muscles
palmar interossei	metacarpals	proximal phalange		deep branch of ulnar nerve	adduction

General references

• Gosling, J.A.; Harris, P.F.; Humpherson, J.R.; Whitmore, I.; Willan, P.L.T. (2008). Human Anatomy: Color Atlas and Textbook. phot. by A.L. Bentley (5th ed.). Philadephia: Mosby. ISBN 978-0-7234-3451-1. 
• http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/GrossAnatomy/dissector/muscles/muscles.html
• http://www.ptcentral.com/muscles/
• http://www.rad.washington.edu/atlas2/

External links

• Tutorial & Quizzes on Skeletal Muscular Anatomy

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