Every muscle in the reference on one page: origin, insertion, action, innervation, and blood supply, grouped by body region.
Muscle Attachment Sheet
150 rows · AnatoMemory · sample of the first 3 rows of each section (21 of 150)
Upper limb
Upper limb - Muscle Attachment Sheet. Every muscle in the reference on one page: origin, insertion, action, innervation, and blood supply, grouped by body region.
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Blood supply
Abductor digiti minimi (hand)
Pisiform, with attachment to the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon
Ulnar side of the fifth proximal phalanx at its base
Moves the fifth finger away from the ring finger
Deep ulnar nerve branch, mainly C8–T1
Muscular branches of the ulnar artery
Abductor pollicis brevis
Flexor retinaculum and the scaphoid and trapezium tubercles
Radial side of the thumb's proximal phalanx at its base
Produces palmar abduction of the thumb
Recurrent median nerve branch, mainly C8–T1
Radial artery, through its superficial palmar branch
Abductor pollicis longus
Back of the radius and ulna, with the intervening interosseous membrane
Radial side of the first metacarpal base; additional tendon slips vary
Abducts and helps extend the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint
Posterior interosseous nerve, commonly described with C7-C8 contributions
Branches of the posterior interosseous artery
Lower limb
Lower limb - Muscle Attachment Sheet. Every muscle in the reference on one page: origin, insertion, action, innervation, and blood supply, grouped by body region.
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Blood supply
Adductor brevis
Anterior pubic body and adjoining inferior ramus
Pectineal line and upper portion of the femoral linea aspera
Draws the thigh toward the midline and contributes to hip flexion
Obturator nerve, usually its anterior division; commonly mapped within L2-L4, with L2-L3 emphasized in some references
Branches of the profunda femoris and obturator arterial systems
Adductor longus
Anterior surface of the pubic body below the crest
Middle portion of the linea aspera on the femur
Adducts the hip and can assist flexion and internal rotation, depending on hip position
Anterior division of the obturator nerve, conventionally L2-L4
Broad attachment from the gluteal tuberosity region along the linea aspera and medial supracondylar line; vertical portion attaches at the adductor tubercle
Adducts the hip; anterior fibers can aid flexion, while the hamstring-like portion contributes to extension
Classically posterior obturator division (L2-L4) for the adductor portion and tibial division of sciatic, often mapped to L4, for the hamstring-like portion; additional cross-supply occurs
Perforating branches of profunda femoris, with obturator and other regional arterial contributions
Thorax
Thorax - Muscle Attachment Sheet. Every muscle in the reference on one page: origin, insertion, action, innervation, and blood supply, grouped by body region.
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Blood supply
Accessory muscles of respiration
Examples: sternocleidomastoid from sternum and clavicle; scalenes from cervical transverse processes; pectoralis minor from ribs 3–5
Corresponding attachments: mastoid and superior nuchal line; first or second rib; coracoid process. Fixing one end changes the respiratory mechanical effect
Additional inspiratory force can elevate the rib cage; abdominal contraction raises abdominal pressure during active expiration. Recruitment varies with demand and posture.
Separate regional supplies, including cervical branches for scalenes and thoracoacromial branches for pectoral muscles
Diaphragm
Inner xiphoid, lower six ribs and their cartilages, arcuate ligaments and lumbar crura; the right crus usually reaches L3 and the left L2
Central tendon, which is attached to the fibrous pericardium
Lowers the domes to enlarge the thorax during inspiration; also helps raise abdominal pressure
Right and left phrenic nerves, C3–C5
Inferior and superior phrenic arteries, with musculophrenic and pericardiacophrenic contributions
External intercostals
Lower edge of the rib above each space
Upper edge of the next rib down
Assists inspiration by elevating ribs and stabilizing the intercostal spaces
Intercostal nerves from thoracic anterior rami, T1–T11
Anterior and posterior intercostal arterial branches
Abdomen
Abdomen - Muscle Attachment Sheet. Every muscle in the reference on one page: origin, insertion, action, innervation, and blood supply, grouped by body region.
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Blood supply
Crura of the diaphragm
Usually the bodies and discs of L1–L3 on the right and L1–L2 on the left; the attachment extent varies.
Muscular fibers ascend into the diaphragm toward its central tendon, with crural fibers surrounding the esophageal hiatus.
Assist inspiratory expansion and provide an external muscular contribution to closure around the distal esophagus.
Motor supply arrives through the phrenic nerves, principally C3–C5.
Inferior phrenic branches contribute prominently to the crural region, within the diaphragm's wider arterial network.
External oblique
Ribs 5–12, on their outer surfaces.
The aponeurosis reaches the linea alba and pubic tubercle; muscular attachment also extends along the anterior iliac crest.
Both sides compress the abdominal contents and assist trunk flexion; one side contributes to rotation away from that side.
Thoracoabdominal nerves T7–T11 and the subcostal nerve, T12.
Segmental branches include lower posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries.
Internal oblique
Thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest and the lateral portion of the inguinal ligament.
Fibers reach ribs 10–12 and the linea alba; inferior aponeurotic fibers attach near the pubis.
Supports and compresses the abdominal contents; assists trunk flexion and same-side rotation.
Lower thoracoabdominal nerves, subcostal nerve and L1 branches, including iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves.
Lower intercostal and deep circumflex iliac arterial branches contribute to its supply.
Pelvis
Pelvis - Muscle Attachment Sheet. Every muscle in the reference on one page: origin, insertion, action, innervation, and blood supply, grouped by body region.
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Blood supply
Bulbospongiosus
Arises from the perineal body and adjacent fascia; male fibers also attach to a midline raphe over the bulb.
Attaches to the perineal membrane and erectile-tissue fascia: around the spongiosum and penile root in males, and toward the clitoral bodies in females.
Compresses underlying erectile tissue, assists erection, and in males helps expel urethral contents; in females it contributes to narrowing the vaginal opening.
Motor supply is through deep muscular branches of the perineal nerve from the pudendal nerve, S2–S4.
Supplied by perineal branches of the internal pudendal artery, with adjacent bulb branches contributing.
Coccygeus (ischiococcygeus)
From the ischial spine and adjoining sacrospinous ligament.
To the lateral coccyx and inferior sacrum.
Supports the posterior pelvic floor and assists control of coccygeal position.
Direct lower sacral nerve branches, commonly described as S4–S5; segmental descriptions vary among sources.
Small branches from the internal iliac arterial network, including inferior gluteal and internal pudendal contributions.
Cremaster muscle
Chiefly from lower internal oblique fibers and adjacent inguinal attachments; the precise muscular pattern varies.
Forms loops in the cremasteric fascia around the cord and testis, with medial attachments toward the pubis.
Elevates the testis and adjusts its position in response to temperature and reflex stimulation.
Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, chiefly L1–L2.
Cremasteric branches of the inferior epigastric artery.
Back
Back - Muscle Attachment Sheet. Every muscle in the reference on one page: origin, insertion, action, innervation, and blood supply, grouped by body region.
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Blood supply
Erector spinae
Shared lower aponeurosis attached to the posterior pelvis and sacrum, with additional vertebral and rib origins in regional parts
Ribs and vertebral processes at higher levels; some upper portions reach the skull
Extends and laterally bends the trunk and neck; helps maintain posture and control flexion
Segmental branches of posterior, or dorsal, spinal nerve rami
Regional branches including deep cervical, posterior intercostal, subcostal and lumbar arteries
Multifidus
Sacrum and posterior ilium, lumbar mammillary processes, thoracic transverse processes and lower cervical articular processes
Spinous processes above the lower attachment, commonly described as two to four levels away
Supports spinal segments and assists extension, side bending and rotation toward the opposite side
Mainly medial branches of the dorsal rami of spinal nerves
Segmental branches of deep cervical, posterior intercostal, subcostal and lumbar arteries
Splenius capitis
Lower nuchal ligament and lower cervical/upper thoracic spinous processes, usually C7 through T3 or T4
Mastoid process and lateral part of the occipital superior nuchal line
Extends the head and neck bilaterally; rotates and laterally bends them to the active side unilaterally
Cervical dorsal ramus branches; C2-C3 are commonly emphasized for capitis
Occipital and deep cervical branches, with contributions from the thyrocervical arterial system
Head & neck
Head & neck - Muscle Attachment Sheet. Every muscle in the reference on one page: origin, insertion, action, innervation, and blood supply, grouped by body region.
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Blood supply
Anterior scalene
Anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C3–C6
Scalene tubercle on the first rib
Raises the first rib; bends the neck toward the same side and assists neck flexion and rotation
Anterior rami of cervical spinal nerves, commonly described as C4–C6
Ascending cervical artery, usually arising from the inferior thyroid artery
Arytenoid muscles (transverse and oblique)
Transverse fibers: posterior arytenoid surface. Oblique fibers: near the muscular process of an arytenoid.
Transverse fibers reach the opposite posterior surface. Oblique fibers cross toward the opposite apex, with an aryepiglottic continuation in some fibers.
Draw the arytenoids together and support posterior glottic closure. Oblique fibers continuing into the aryepiglottic folds assist inlet narrowing.
Main motor supply from both recurrent laryngeal nerves, branches of CN X; communicating laryngeal nerve fibers also occur.
Laryngeal branches of the thyroid arterial system, especially the superior laryngeal artery, with anastomotic contributions.
Buccinator
Molar regions of the maxillary and mandibular alveolar processes, and the pterygomandibular raphe
Fibers converge at the mouth angle and interlace with orbicularis oris
Presses the cheek inward to position food and assist blowing and sucking
Buccal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII)
Facial artery and the buccal branch of the maxillary artery
Built from the muscle records of the AnatoMemory reference library.
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