Category Human Body

Although you may not be aware of them, some muscles stand out from the rest. Meet the muscles breaking records in your body.

Strongest muscle

There are different contenders for this title, depending on how you define “strong”. But the muscle that exerts the greatest force is probably the soleus (calf muscle).

Longest muscle

The sartorious is the longest muscle in the human body. This superficial skeletal muscle runs the length of the thigh.

Largest muscle

The gluteus maximus is the biggest muscle. It covers most of the buttocks and helps the body stand up.

Smallest muscle

The stapedius is the smallest muscle. Only about 1 mm (0.04 in) long, it is found inside the ear.

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At first glance, muscle names may appear difficult to read, but they have all been given a unique Latin name to describe them. This name can be understood around the world. The chosen name relates to specific characteristics of the muscle, such as its size, shape, location, and what it does.

Occipitofrontalis

This muscle extends over the skull to the eyebrows. Together with temporoparietalis, it comprises the epicranial group of the muscles of facial expression.

Sternocleidomastoid

The sternocleidomastoid muscle is a two-headed neck muscle, which true to its name bears attachments to the manubrium of sternum (sterno-), the clavicle (-cleido-), and the mastoid process of the temporal bone (-mastoid). This turns the head.

Right trapezius

The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. When viewed together, this pair forms a diamond or trapezoid shape, hence its name. The trapezius lies on top of the other back muscles.

Left trapezius

Although each of the two trapezius muscles is triangular, together they make a four-sided shape called a trapezium.

Deltoid

The deltoid is a thick, triangular shoulder muscle. It gets its name because of its similar shape to the Greek letter ‘delta’ (?). The muscle has a wide origin spanning the clavicle, acromion and spine of scapula. This muscle lifts the shoulder and upper arm.

Teres major

The teres major is a thick muscle of the shoulder joint. It spans from the inferior aspect of the scapula to the proximal part of the humeral shaft. This muscle pulls the arm towards the body and turns it inwards.

Triceps brachii

Triceps brachii is a three-headed (tri – three, cep – head) muscle of the arm. It represents the only constituent of the posterior muscle group of the arm, spanning almost the entire length of the humerus. The triceps brachii muscle consists of a long, medial and lateral head, that originate from their respective attachments on the humerus and scapula, and insert via a common tendon on the ulna. 

Triceps brachii tendon

This is where the fleshy parts of the three-headed triceps brachii muscle meet.

Latissimus dorsi

The latissimus dorsi muscle is the widest muscle in the human body. It is relatively thin and covers almost all back muscles at the posterior trunk, except the trapezius. This is a large, flat muscle, which helps to pull the arm into the body and turn it inwards.

Transversus abdominis

The transversus abdominis is a broad paired muscular sheet found on the lateral sides of the abdominal wall. Along with the external abdominal oblique and the internal abdominal oblique, it comprises the lateral abdominal muscles.  This muscle provides stability for the pelvis.

Gluteus maximus

The gluteus maximus is the most superficial gluteal muscle that forms the prominence of the gluteal region. Along with the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae, it belongs to the gluteal group of the hip muscles. This large muscle helps to move the hip and thigh.

Adductor magnus

The adductor magnus muscle is a large triangular muscle of the lower limb, with its apex situated on the hip bone, and its base on the linea aspera of the femur. It is situated both in the posterior and medial fascial compartments of the thigh. The distribution of this muscle in two compartments is reflected in the fact that it receives dual nerve supply. Regardless of its position, the adductor magnus muscle is classified as a muscle of the medial compartment of the thigh. 

Gracilis

Gracilis muscle is a long and slender muscle located in the medial (adductor) compartment of the thigh. It forms part of the adductor muscle group together with adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus and pectineus muscles. 

Biceps femoris

Biceps femoris is a long muscle of the posterior aspect of the thigh. Together with the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles, it makes the group of muscles commonly known as the hamstrings.

Semitendinosus

Semitendinosus is a fusiform muscle of the posterior compartment of thigh. Along with semimembranosus and long head of biceps femoris it comprises a group called the hamstring muscles.

Gastrocnemius

Gastrocnemius is a large muscle located in the posterior leg. Posteriorly, is the most superficial of the muscles of the leg, and forms the bulk of the calf.

Soleus

The soleus muscle is a wide flat leg muscle found on the posterior leg. It runs from just below the knee to the heel and lays immediately deep to the gastrocnemius. These two muscles, along with the plantaris muscle, belong to the group of superficial posterior compartment calf muscles. Together with the gastrocnemius, this strong muscle forms what is known as the calf muscle.

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These fan-shaped or feather-shaped muscles have densely packed fibres, making them strong. There are different kinds of pinnate muscle, each adapted for specific work.

Unipennate muscle

The fibres of these muscles fan out from the narrow point at which they insert into the tendon. This makes the muscle strong. Some hand muscles are unipennate.

Bipennate muscle

This has fibres running diagonally from each side of a tendon, like a feather. This makes the muscle even stronger, but less mobile. The rectus femoris muscle at the front of the thigh is bipennate.

Multipennate muscle

This powerful muscle has many rows of fibres running from a central tendon. The deltoid (shoulder) muscle is multipennate.

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Superficial muscles are just beneath the skin. Those at the front of the body create different facial expressions, move the head forwards and sideways, bend the arms and move them forwards, bend the body forwards and sideways, bend the legs, straighten the knees, and lift the feet.

Frontails

The frontalis muscle is a thin, wide, four-sided muscle located at the top front of the skull (in the area of the forehead). Specifically, this muscle originates from the galea aponeurotica and extends down the forehead and inserts or attaches to the skin around the eyebrows and top of the nose. 

Orbicularis oculi

Orbicularis oculi is a paired facial muscle that surrounds each orbit and the adjacent periorbital region. Together with corrugator supercilii and levator palpebrae superioris, it belongs to the circumorbital and palpebral group of muscles that surround the eye. This closes the eye.

 Temporalis

The temporalis muscle is a thin, fan-shaped muscle situated within the temporal fossa of the skull. Along with the medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid and masseter muscles, it belongs to the group masticatory muscles. The temporalis muscle runs superficially, from the temporal bone to the coronoid process of mandible. This muscle pulls the lower jaw up.

Orbicularis oris

Orbicularis oris is a complex circular muscle that surrounds the orifice of the mouth and forms the majority of the lips. It belongs to a large group of muscles of facial expression called the buccolabial group. This muscle purses the lips.

Platysma

This broad sheet of thin muscle lies just under the skin of the neck. It arises in the upper thoracic and shoulder regions from a fascia that covers the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles. 

Pectoralis major

The pectoralis major is a paired, superficial muscle located on the anterior surface of the thoracic cage. If you’re a gym lover, you’ll hear these muscles also being referred to as the pecs muscles.

Deltoid

The deltoid is a thick, triangular shoulder muscle. It gets its name because of its similar shape to the Greek letter ‘delta’ (?). The muscle has a wide origin spanning the clavicle, acromion and spine of scapula. It passes inferiorly surrounding the glenohumeral joint on all sides and inserts onto the humerus. 

Biceps brachii

The biceps brachii muscle is one of the chief muscles of the arm. The origin at the scapula and the insertion into the radius of the biceps brachii means it can act on both the shoulder joint and the elbow joint, which is why this muscle participates in a few movements of the arm. This bends the elbow.

Rectus abdominis

Rectus abdominis, informally known as the abs muscle, is a long muscle of the anterior abdominal wall. In those with low body fat, it is clearly visible beneath the skin forming the ‘six pack’. It extends from the rib cage all the way to the pubic bone. This paired muscle is often shortened to the “abs”.

Linea alba

This connective tissue connects abdominal muscles on the left and right. It extends between the inferior limit of the sternum and the pubis, separating the rectus abdominis muscles. In leaner, more muscular individuals, it is visible externally as a longitudinal, shallow groove. 

Brachioradialis

Brachioradialis is a fusiform muscle located in the lateral part of the posterior forearm. Along with extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor carpi radialis longus, it comprises the radial group of forearm muscles, which belong to the superficial layer of posterior forearm muscles.  This muscle helps to bend the elbow.

External oblique

External abdominal oblique is a paired muscle located on the lateral sides of the abdominal wall. Along with internal abdominal oblique and transversus abdominis, it comprises the lateral abdominal muscles. In a broader picture, these muscles make up the anterolateral abdominal wall together with two anterior abdominal muscles; the rectus abdominis and pyramidalis. This muscle helps to twist the torso.

Tensor fasciae latae

Tensor fasciae latae is a fusiform muscle located in the lateral aspect of the thigh. It belongs to the muscles of the gluteal region, along with the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles. This muscle lifts the thigh away from the body.

Pectineus

Pectineus is a flat muscle found in the superomedial part of the anterior thigh. Fascial compartments of the thigh muscles are specific in that each of them is innervated by a particular nerve. 

Adductor longus

The adductor longus is a large, fan-shaped muscle located in the medial aspect of the thigh. It belongs to the adductors of the thigh, together with adductor brevis, adductor magnus, adductor brevis, pectineus and gracilis muscles.

Rectus femoris

The quadriceps femoris muscle, commonly known as the quad muscle, is the strongest muscle of the human body. It is located in the anterior compartment of the thigh, together with the sartorius. This is one of the four quadriceps muscles.

Sartorius

This is the longest muscle in the body. Together with the quadriceps femoris, it belongs to the anterior (extensor) muscles of the thigh. It enables you to sit cross-legged.

Vastus medialis

This is one of the four quadriceps muscles. It is the most medial, or inner, of the quadriceps muscles. It extends the entire length of the thigh. The portion of the muscle that is just above the knee is sometimes referred to as the vastus medialis obliquus, or VMO. This muscle is used to extend the leg at the knee and to stabilize the patella, which is also known as the kneecap.

Vastus lateralis

This is one of the four quadriceps muscles, which straighten the knee. Together, the quadriceps acts on the knee and hip to promote movement as well as strength and stability. They provide power for and absorb the impact of daily activities such as walking, running, and jumping.

Gastrocnemius

Gastrocnemius is a large muscle located in the posterior leg. Posteriorly, is the most superficial of the muscles of the leg, and forms the bulk of the calf. This is the largest calf muscle.

Tibialis anterior

Tibialis anterior is a fusiform muscle found in the anterior part of the leg. Lying superficially in the leg, this muscle is easily palpable lateral to the anterior border of tibia. This raises the foot upwards.

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Skeletal muscles come in many shapes and sizes, with each muscle adapted for its position in the body and the job it does.

Quadrate muscles

These are rectangular hard-working muscles. Quadrate muscles are stabilizers along with whatever other function they perform.  The rhomboids are a quadrate muscle. While they work to retract the scapula they also stabilize the shoulder blade onto the trunk.

Fusiform muscles

These powerful muscles, such as the biceps, usually bend or straighten a limb. Sometimes, included in the parallel muscle group, these muscles are more spindle-shaped, with the muscle belly being wider than the origin and insertion. Examples are, Biceps Brachii and Psoas major.

Circular muscles

These muscles control body openings, such as the mouth or bladder. These muscles appear circular in shape and are normally sphincter muscles which surround an opening such as the mouth, surrounded by Obicularis Oris and Obicularis Oculi surrounding the eyes.

Triangular muscles

This muscle is narrow at one end and broad at the other. This allows a range of movement, such as at the shoulder.

Strap muscles

These are long muscles that are not especially strong but have good endurance. The infrahyoid muscles, or strap muscles, are a group of four pairs of muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. The four infrahyoid muscles are: the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid and omohyoid muscles.

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This rear view of the deep muscles shows skeletal muscles from the head to the feet. They hold the head and back upright, keep the shoulders steady, pull the arms back, straighten the thighs, bend the knees, and point the toes down.

Occipitofrontalis

This muscle stretches from the frontal bone to the occipital bone at the back of the skull. Occipitofrontalis is a long and wide muscle of the scalp, spanning from the eyebrows to the superior nuchal lines of occipital bones. Together with temporoparietalis, it comprises the epicranial group of the muscles of facial expression.

Rhomboid muscles

These diamond-shaped muscles pull the shoulders back towards the spine. It helps connect the shoulder blades to the rib cage and spine. It also helps you maintain good posture.

Rhomboid pain is felt under the neck between the shoulder blades and spine. It’s sometimes referred to as shoulder blade pain or upper back pain.

Infraspinatus

This muscle helps to stablilize the shoulder joint and rotate the arm outwards.  It arises mostly from the infraspinous fossa of scapula, and connects it to the proximal humerus. 

Serratus anterior

This muscle helps to stabilize the shoulder blade. The serratus anterior muscle is a fan-shaped muscle at the lateral wall of the thorax. Its main part lies deep under the scapula and the pectoral muscles. It is easy to palpate between the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles. In athletic bodies the muscle may be even visible to the naked eye along the ribs underneath the axilla.

Serratus posterior inferior

This muscle has a jagged edge, which attaches to the ribs. The serratus posterior muscles extend obliquely from the vertebral column to the rib cage. The main function of these muscles is to facilitate the act of respiration; the serratus posterior superior muscle elevates the ribs, while the serratus posterior inferior muscle depresses the ribs. These actions are particularly important in forced respiration.

Medial head of triceps brachii

This deep part of the triceps brachii muscle straightens the elbow. The medial head of the Triceps brachii arises from inferior two thirds of humerus to insert, along with the other two heads of the triceps, on the olecranon of the ulna.

Erector spinae

This muscle group supports the spine. They extend on either side of the vertebral column, between the base of the cranium superiorly and pelvis inferiorly. 

Transverses abdominis

This helps to stabilize the pelvis and lower back when moving. Along with the external abdominal oblique and the internal abdominal oblique, it comprises the lateral abdominal muscles. Combined with the two anterior abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis and pyramidalis), these muscles make up the anterolateral abdominal wall.

Extensor carpi ulnaris

This muscle helps to straighten the wrist. This muscle belongs to the superficial forearm extensor group, along with anconeus, brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum and extensor digiti minimi muscles.

Gluetus medius

A pair of muscles keeps the pelvis level when you are walking. Gluteus medius is a large fan-shaped muscle located in the posterior hip, extending from the ilium to the proximal femur. Together with the gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae muscles, it belongs to the muscles of the gluteal region.

Adductor compartment of the thigh

The adductor magnus is the largest muscle in the medial compartment. It lies posteriorly to the other muscles.

Functionally, the muscle can be divided into two parts; the adductor part, and the hamstring part.

Semimemvranosus

This muscle is one of the hamstrings, which bend the knee. Semimembranosus is one of four posterior thigh muscles that are responsible for extending the hip. The other three muscles that belong to the hip extensor group are semitendinosus, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus. 

Popliteus

This muscle helps with bending the knee. The popliteus muscle is a small muscle that forms the floor of the popliteal fossa. It belongs to the deep posterior leg muscles, along with tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus.

Flexor hallucis longus

This muscle bends the big toe. Flexor hallucis longus muscle is a powerful muscle that comprises the deep layer of the posterior compartment of the leg. It belongs to a group called the deep flexors of the calf, which also include popliteus, flexor digitorum longus and tibialis posterior muscles.

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