Skeletal Muscle Identification and Function

Bio 137 — Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Skeletal Muscle Identification and Function
Students will be expected to identify the following muscles and their functions
on the head, arm, leg and muscle man models.
Body Region
Muscle Functions
Head and Neck — Head muscle model and muscle man model (Table 14.1, Fig 14.3)*
Frontalis Raises eyebrows and wrinkles forehead
Orbicularis oculi Closes eye
Orbicularis oris Closes lips; kissing and whistling
Sternocleidomastoid Flexes, tilts, and rotates head
Zygomaticus Raises corners of mouth; smiling
Masseter Elevates (closes) and protracts jaw, as when chewing
Torso — Muscle man model (Table 15.1, Figs 12.1, 15.1, 15.3, 15.4)*
Trapezius Shrug shoulders
Latissimus dorsi Extends, adducts and medially rotates arm
Pectoralis major Flexes, adducts and medially rotates arm
External oblique Lateral rotation of the vertebral column, twisting
Rectus abdominis Flexion of the vertebral column; sit ups
Upper Limb — Arm muscle model (Table 12.1, Figs 12.1, 12.6, 12.7, 12.12)*
Deltoid † Abducts, flexes, and rotates arm
Triceps brachii † Extends forearm and arm
Biceps brachii † Flexes forearm
Brachioradialis Flexes forearm
Extensor digitorum Extends fingers and hand
Extensor carpi radialis longus Extends hand
Flexor carpi ulnaris Flexes hand
Palmaris longus Flexes hand
† Muscle should be identified on the muscle man model in addition to the arm model

Bio 137 — Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Muscle Functions
Lower Limb — Leg muscle model and muscle man model (Table 13.1, Figs 12.1, 13.1-13.7)*
Tensor fasciae latae Flexes, abducts and rotates thigh
Adductor longus Adducts, flexes, and rotates thigh
Gluteus maximus Extends, abducts and rotates thigh
Gracilis Adducts thigh and flexes leg
Sartorius Crosses the leg
Vastus medialis Extends leg
Vastus lateralis Extends leg
Biceps femoris Extends the thigh and flexes leg
Rectus femoris Flexes thigh and extends leg
Tibialis anterior Dorsiflexion of the foot
Fibularis (peroneus) longus Plantar flexion of the foot
Gastrocnemius Plantar flexion of the foot
* References are for Eric Wise, Laboratory Manual for Anatomy & Physiology (Exercises 12-15;
pp 155-226). For additional information, students should also refer to the following sources:
Elaine Marieb, Human Anatomy & Physiology (lecture text) — Chapter 10
A Brief Atlas of the Human Body — Figs 62-65, 67-70.