Muscles of Upper limb Information

Rhomboid major muscle
Rhomboid major muscle
Details
Origin	spinous processes of the T2 to T5 vertebrae
Insertion	medial border of the scapula, inferior to the insertion of rhomboid minor muscle
Artery	dorsal scapular artery
Nerve	dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Actions	Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.
Antagonist	Serratus anterior muscle
	Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Trapezius
Trapezius
Details
Origin	arises, 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
Insertion	at the shoulders, into the lateral third of the clavicle, the acromion process, and into the spine of the scapula
Artery	transverse cervical artery
Nerve	major nerve supply is the cranial nerve XI. Cervical nerves C3 and C4 receive information about pain in this muscle
Actions	retraction of scapula
Antagonist	Serratus anterior muscle, Latissimus Dorsi
	Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Latissimus dorsi muscle
Latissimus dorsi muscle
Details
Origin	spinous processes of thoracic T6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest and inferior 3 or 4 ribs
Insertion	floor of intertubercular groove of the humerus
Artery	subscapular artery, dorsal scapular artery
Nerve	thoracodorsal nerve (C6 - C8)
Actions	pulls the forelimb dorsally and caudally
Antagonist	deltoid, trapezius
	Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Vertebral column and thoracic walls

Vertebral column

Thoracic wall

Rhomboid minor muscle
Details
Origin	nuchal ligaments and spinous processes of C7 to T1 vertebrae
Insertion	medial border of the scapula, superior to the insertion of rhomboid major muscle
Artery	dorsal scapular artery
Nerve	dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Actions	Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.
Antagonist	Serratus anterior muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Levator scapulae muscle
Details
Origin	Posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 - C4 vertebrae
Insertion	Superior part of medial border of scapula
Artery	dorsal scapular artery
Nerve	cervical nerve (C3, C4) and dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
Actions	Elevates scapula and tilts its glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating scapula
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Pectoralis major muscle
Details
Origin	Kank: anterior surface of the medial half of the clavicle. Sternocostal head: anterior surface of the sternum, the superior six costal cartilages, and the
Insertion	intertubercular groove of the humerus
Artery	pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk
Nerve	lateral pectoral nerve and medial pectoral nerve Clavicular head: C5 and C6 Sternocostal head: C7, C8 and T1
Actions	Clavicular head: flexes the humerus Sternocostal head: extends the humerus As a whole, adducts and medially rotates the humerus. It also draws the scapula anteriorly and inferiorly.
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Pectoralis minor muscle
Details
Origin	medial border and superior surface of the coracoid process of the scapula
Insertion	3rd to 5th ribs, near their costal cartilages
Artery	Pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk
Nerve	Medial pectoral nerves (C8, T1)
Actions	It stabilizes the scapula by drawing it inferiorly and anteriorly against the thoracic wall.
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Subclavius muscle
Details
Origin	first rib
Insertion	subclavian groove of clavicle
Artery	thoracoacromial artery, clavicular branch
Nerve	nerve to subclavius
Actions	depression of clavicle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Serratus anterior (boxer muscle)
Details
Origin	fleshy slips from the outer surface of upper 8 or 9 ribs
Insertion	costal aspect of medial margin of the scapula
Artery	lateral thoracic artery (upper part), thoracodorsal artery (lower part)
Nerve	long thoracic nerve (from roots of brachial plexus C5, 6, 7)
Actions	protracts and stabilizes scapula, assists in upward rotation.
Antagonist	Rhomboid major, Rhomboid minor, Trapezius
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Shoulder with rotator cuff

Shoulder

Rotator cuff

Deltoid muscle
Details
Origin	clavicle, acromion, spine of the scapula
Insertion	deltoid tuberosity of humerus
Artery	primarily posterior circumflex humeral artery
Nerve	Axillary nerve
Actions	shoulder abduction, flexion and extension
Antagonist	Latissimus dorsi
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Teres major muscle
Details
Origin	posterior aspect of the inferior angle of the scapula
Insertion	medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus
Artery	Subscapular and circumflex scapular arteries
Nerve	Lower subscapular nerve (segmental levels C5 and C6)
Actions	Internal rotation of the humerus
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Supraspinatus muscle
Details
Origin	supraspinous fossa of scapula
Insertion	superior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Artery	suprascapular artery
Nerve	suprascapular nerve
Actions	abduction of arm and stabilizes humerus
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Infraspinatus muscle
Details
Origin	infraspinous fossa of the scapula
Insertion	middle facet of greater tubercle of the humerus
Artery	suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries
Nerve	suprascapular nerve
Actions	Lateral rotation of arm & Abduction of arm and stabilizes humerus
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Teres minor muscle
Details
Origin	lateral border of the scapula
Insertion	inferior facet of greater tubercle of the humerus
Artery	lateral circumflex humeral artery and the circumflex scapular artery
Nerve	axillary nerve
Actions	laterally rotates and adducts the arm
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Subscapularis muscle
Details
Origin	subscapular fossa
Insertion	lesser tubercle of humerus
Artery	transverse cervical artery, subscapular artery
Nerve	upper subscapular nerve, lower subscapular nerve (C5, C6)
Actions	rotates medially humerus; stabilizes shoulder
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Arm

Anterior compartment of the arm

Posterior compartment of the arm

Coracobrachialis muscle
Details
Origin	coracoid process of scapula
Insertion	medial humerus
Artery	brachial artery
Nerve	musculocutaneous nerve
Actions	adducts humerus
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Biceps brachii muscle
Details
Origin	short head: coracoid process of the scapula. long head: supraglenoid tubercle
Insertion	radial tuberosity
Artery	brachial artery
Nerve	Musculocutaneous nerve ( C5–C7)
Actions	flexes elbow and supinates forearm
Antagonist	Triceps brachii muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Brachialis muscle
Details
Origin	anterior surface of the humerus, particularly the distal half of this bone
Insertion	coronoid process and the tuberosity of the ulna
Artery	radial recurrent artery
Nerve	musculocutaneous nerve
Actions	flexion at elbow joint
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Triceps brachii muscle
Details
Origin	long head: scapula lateral head: posterior humerus medial head: posterior humerus
Insertion	olecranon process of ulna
Artery	deep brachial artery
Nerve	radial nerve
Actions	extends forearm, caput longum adducts shoulder
Antagonist	Biceps brachii muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Anconeus muscle
Details
Origin	lateral epicondyle of the humerus proximally
Insertion	lateral surface of the olecranon process and the superior part of the posterior ulna distally
Artery	deep brachial artery, recurrent interosseous artery
Nerve	radial nerve (C7, C8, and T1)
Actions	It is partly blended in with the triceps, which it assists in extension of the forearm. It also stabilises the elbow and abducts the ulna during pronation.
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Forearm

Anterior compartment of the forearm

Superficial

Deep

Pronator teres muscle
Details
Origin	humeral head: medial epicondyle of humerus ( common flexor tendon) ulnar head: coronoid process of ulna
Insertion	radius
Artery	ulnar artery and radial artery
Nerve	median nerve
Actions	pronation of forearm, flexes elbow
Antagonist	Supinator muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Palmaris longus muscle
Details
Origin	medial epicondyle of humerus ( common flexor tendon)
Insertion	palmar aponeurosis
Artery	ulnar artery
Nerve	median nerve
Actions	wrist flexor
Antagonist	Extensor carpi radialis brevis, Extensor carpi radialis longus, Extensor carpi ulnaris
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Flexor carpi radialis muscle
Details
Origin	medial epicondyle of humerus ( common flexor tendon)
Insertion	Bases of second and third metacarpal bones
Artery	ulnar artery
Nerve	Median nerve
Actions	Flexion and abduction at wrist
Antagonist	Extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle, Extensor carpi radialis longus muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Flexor carpi ulnaris muscle
Details
Origin	medial epicondyle ( common flexor tendon)
Insertion	pisiform
Artery	ulnar artery
Nerve	muscular branches of ulnar nerve
Actions	flexion of wrist
Antagonist	Extensor carpi ulnaris muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Flexor digitorum superficialis muscle
Details
Origin	median epicondyle of the humerus ( common flexor tendon) as well as parts of the radius and ulna.
Insertion	phalanges
Artery	ulnar artery
Nerve	median nerve
Actions	flexor of fingers (primarily at proximal interphalangeal joints)
Antagonist	Extensor digitorum muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Pronator quadratus muscle
Details
Origin	medial, anterior surface of the ulna
Insertion	lateral, anterior surface of the radius
Artery	anterior interosseous artery
Nerve	median nerve ( anterior interosseous nerve)
Actions	pronates the forearm
Antagonist	Supinator muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Flexor digitorum profundus muscle
Details
Origin	ulna
Insertion	distal phalanges
Artery	anterior interosseous artery
Nerve	median ( anterior interosseous), muscular branches of ulnar
Actions	flex hand, interphalangeal joints
Antagonist	Extensor digitorum muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Flexor pollicis longus muscle
Details
Origin	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.)
Insertion	The base of the distal phalanx of the thumb
Artery	Anterior interosseus artery
Nerve	Anterior interosseous nerve (branch of median nerve) (C8, T1)
Actions	Flexion of the thumb.
Antagonist	Extensor pollicis longus muscle, Extensor pollicis brevis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Posterior compartment of the forearm

Posterior compartment of the forearm—Superficial

Superficial

Superficial— mobile wad

Extensor digitorum muscle
Details
Origin	lateral epicondyle ( common extensor tendon)
Insertion	2nd and 3rd phalanges
Nerve	posterior interosseous nerve
Actions	extension of hand and fingers
Antagonist	Flexor digitorum superficialis muscle, Flexor digitorum profundus muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Extensor digiti minimi muscle
Details
Origin	the anterior portion of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus ( common extensor tendon)
Insertion	at the extensor expansion, located at the base of the proximal phalanx of the finger on the dorsal side
Artery	the posterior interosseous artery which originates from the common interosseous artery and more proximally, the ulnar artery
Nerve	posterior interosseous nerve (C7, 8)
Actions	extends the little finger at all joints
Antagonist	Flexor digiti minimi brevis
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Extensor carpi ulnaris muscle
Details
Origin	Common extensor tendon ( lateral epicondyle), ulna
Insertion	5th metacarpal
Artery	ulnar artery
Nerve	the posterior interosseus nerve, a branch of the radial nerve
Actions	extends and adducts the wrist
Antagonist	Flexor carpi ulnaris
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Brachioradialis muscle
Details
Origin	Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus
Insertion	Distal radius ( Radial styloid process)
Artery	radial recurrent artery
Nerve	radial nerve
Actions	Flexion of forearm
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Extensor carpi radialis longus muscle
Details
Origin	lateral supracondylar ridge
Insertion	2nd metacarpal
Artery	radial artery
Nerve	radial nerve
Actions	extensor at the wrist joint, abducts the hand at the wrist
Antagonist	Flexor carpi radialis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle
Details
Origin	humerus at the anterior of lateral epicondyle ( common extensor tendon)
Insertion	base of the 3rd metacarpal
Artery	radial artery
Nerve	deep branch of the radial nerve
Actions	extensor and abductor of the hand at the wrist joint
Antagonist	Flexor carpi radialis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Posterior compartment of the forearm—Deep

Deep

Deep— Anatomical snuff box

Supinator muscle
Details
Origin	Lateral epicondyle of humerus, supinator crest of ulna, radial collateral ligament (elbow), annular ligament
Insertion	Lateral proximal radial shaft
Artery	radial recurrent artery
Nerve	Posterior interosseus branch of radial nerve
Actions	supinates forearm
Antagonist	Pronator teres, Pronator quadratus
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Extensor indicis proprius
Details
Origin	ulna
Insertion	index finger ( extensor hood)
Nerve	posterior interosseous nerve
Actions	extends index finger, wrist
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Abductor pollicis longus muscle
Details
Origin	ulna, radial styloid process
Insertion	first metacarpal
Nerve	Posterior interosseous nerve
Actions	abduction, extension of thumb
Antagonist	Adductor pollicis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Extensor pollicis brevis muscle
Details
Origin	radius
Insertion	thumb, proximal phalanx
Artery	posterior interosseous artery
Nerve	posterior interosseous
Actions	extension of thumb at metacarpophalangeal joint
Antagonist	Flexor pollicis longus muscle, Flexor pollicis brevis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Extensor pollicis longus muscle
Details
Origin	ulna
Insertion	thumb, distal phalanx
Nerve	posterior interosseus nerve (branching from the radial nerve)
Actions	extension of the thumb ( metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal)
Antagonist	Flexor pollicis longus muscle, Flexor pollicis brevis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Muscles of the hand

Lateral volar and thenar eminence

Lateral volar

Lateral volar— Thenar eminence

Adductor pollicis muscle
Details
Origin	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
Insertion	medial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb and the ulnar sesamoid
Nerve	deep branch of the ulnar nerve (T1)
Actions	adducts the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint
Antagonist	Abductor pollicis longus muscle, Abductor pollicis brevis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Opponens pollicis muscle
Details
Origin	trapezium and transverse carpal ligament
Insertion	metacarpal bone of the thumb on its radial side
Nerve	median nerve
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Flexor pollicis brevis muscle
Details
Origin	trapezoid, flexor retinaculum
Insertion	thumb, proximal phalanx
Nerve	median nerve, deep branch of ulnar nerve (medial head)
Actions	Flexes the thumb at the first metacarpophalangeal joint
Antagonist	Extensor pollicis longus muscle, Extensor pollicis brevis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Abductor pollicis brevis muscle
Details
Origin	Transverse carpal ligament, the scaphoid and trapezium
Insertion	Radial base of proximal phalanx of thumb and the thumb extensors
Nerve	Median nerve
Actions	Abduction of the thumb by acting across the carpometacarpal joint and the metacarpophalangeal joint. It also assists in opposition and extension of the thumb.
Antagonist	Adductor pollicis muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Opponens pollicis muscle
Details
Origin	trapezium and transverse carpal ligament
Insertion	metacarpal bone of the thumb on its radial side
Nerve	median nerve
Actions	Flexion of the thumb's metacarpal at the first carpometacarpal joint, which aids in opposition of the thumb
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Medial volar and hypothenar eminence

Meidal volar

Meidal volar— Hypothenar eminence

Palmaris brevis muscle
Details
Origin	flexor retinaculum (medial), palmar aponeurosis
Insertion	palm
Nerve	superficial branch of ulnar nerve
Actions	wrinkle skin of palm
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Opponens digiti minimi muscle
Details
Origin	Hook of hamate and flexor retinaculum
Insertion	Medial border of 5th metacarpal
Artery	ulnar artery
Nerve	deep branch of ulnar nerve (C8 and T1)
Actions	Draws 5th metacarpal anteriorly and rotates it, bringing little finger (5th digit) into opposition with thumb
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Flexor digiti minimi brevis
Details
Origin	hamate bone
Insertion	little finger
Artery	ulnar artery
Nerve	deep branch of ulnar nerve
Actions	flexes little finger
Antagonist	Extensor digiti minimi muscle
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Abductor minimi digiti muscle (hand)
Details
Origin	pisiform
Insertion	base of the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit on the ulnar or medial side
Artery	ulnar artery
Nerve	deep branch of ulnar nerve
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Intermediate volar and interossei

Intermediate volar

Interossei

Lumbricals of the hand
Details
Origin	flexor digitorum profundus
Insertion	extensor expansion
Artery	superficial palmar arch, common palmar digital arteries, deep palmar arch, dorsal digital artery
Nerve	deep branch of ulnar nerve, median nerve
Actions	flex metacarpophalangeal joints, extend interphalangeal joints
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Dorsal interossei of the hand
Details
Origin	metacarpals
Insertion	proximal phalanges
Artery	Dorsal metacarpal artery and palmar metacarpal artery
Nerve	deep branch of ulnar nerve
Actions	abduct finger
Antagonist	Palmar interossei muscles
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

Palmar interossei muscles
Details
Origin	metacarpals
Insertion	proximal phalange
Nerve	deep branch of ulnar nerve
Actions	adduction
Antagonist	Dorsal interossei of the hand
Anatomical terms of muscle [ edit on Wikidata

v t e List of muscles of upper limbs
VERTEBRAL COLUMN	trapezius - latissimus dorsi - rhomboid ( major, minor) - levator scapulae
THORACIC WALLS	pectoralis major - pectoralis minor - subclavius - serratus anterior
SHOULDER	deltoid - rotator cuff ( supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) - teres major
ARM	anterior compartment: coracobrachialis - biceps brachii - brachialis posterior compartment: triceps brachii - anconeus
FOREARM	anterior compartment: superf. - pronator teres - palmaris longus - flexor carpi radialis - flexor carpi ulnaris - flexor digitorum superficialis anterior compartment: deep - pronator quadratus - flexor digitorum profundus - flexor pollicis longus posterior compartment: superf. - mobile wad ( brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis) - extensor digitorum, - extensor digiti minimi - extensor carpi ulnaris posterior compartment: deep - supinator - anatomical snuff box ( abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicis longus) - extensor indicis
HAND	lateral volar - thenar ( opponens pollicis, flexor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis brevis) - adductor pollicis medial volar - hypothenar ( opponens digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, abductor minimi digiti) - palmaris brevis intermediate - lumbrical - interossei ( dorsal, palmar)

v t e List of muscles of upper limbs
VERTEBRAL COLUMN	trapezius - latissimus dorsi - rhomboid ( major, minor) - levator scapulae
THORACIC WALLS	pectoralis major - pectoralis minor - subclavius - serratus anterior
SHOULDER	deltoid - rotator cuff ( supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) - teres major
ARM	anterior compartment: coracobrachialis - biceps brachii - brachialis posterior compartment: triceps brachii - anconeus
FOREARM	anterior compartment: superf. - pronator teres - palmaris longus - flexor carpi radialis - flexor carpi ulnaris - flexor digitorum superficialis anterior compartment: deep - pronator quadratus - flexor digitorum profundus - flexor pollicis longus posterior compartment: superf. - mobile wad ( brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis) - extensor digitorum, - extensor digiti minimi - extensor carpi ulnaris posterior compartment: deep - supinator - anatomical snuff box ( abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicis longus) - extensor indicis
HAND	lateral volar - thenar ( opponens pollicis, flexor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis brevis) - adductor pollicis medial volar - hypothenar ( opponens digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, abductor minimi digiti) - palmaris brevis intermediate - lumbrical - interossei ( dorsal, palmar)

Muscles of Upper limb Information

Vertebral column and thoracic walls

Shoulder with rotator cuff

Arm

Forearm

Anterior compartment of the forearm

Posterior compartment of the forearm

Posterior compartment of the forearm—Superficial

Posterior compartment of the forearm—Deep

Muscles of the hand

Lateral volar and thenar eminence

Medial volar and hypothenar eminence

Intermediate volar and interossei

Muscles of Upper limb Information

Vertebral column and thoracic walls

Shoulder with rotator cuff

Arm

Forearm

Anterior compartment of the forearm

Posterior compartment of the forearm

Posterior compartment of the forearm—Superficial

Posterior compartment of the forearm—Deep

Muscles of the hand

Lateral volar and thenar eminence

Medial volar and hypothenar eminence

Intermediate volar and interossei

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