Muscles to remember!

Erector spinae

A group of long muscles that originate near the sacrum and extend vertically up the length of the back. These muscles lie on each side of the vertebral column and extend alongside the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical sections of the spine. Their function is to straighten the back and provide for side-to-side rotation. An injury or strain to these muscles may cause back spasms and pain.

Soleus

Powerful muscle in the back part of the lower leg (calf). The action of the calf muscles, including this muscle, is plantarflexion of the foot (that is, they increase the angle between the foot and the leg). They are powerful muscles and are vital in walking, running, and keeping balance.

Hip flexor complex

TFL, rectus femoris, psoas. The majority of movements around the hip and the femur require the use of the this; they are also important muscles when it comes to posture. An example of an exercise requiring hip flexion would be if a personal trainer asked a client to raise their leg in front of their body.

Thoracic spine

The longest region of the spine, and by some measures it is also the most complex. Connecting with the cervical spine above and the lumbar spine below, this runs from the base of the neck down to the abdomen. It is the only spinal region attached to the rib cage.

Intrinsic core stabilizers

Comprised of the trans-verse abdominis, multifidus, transversospinalis, internal oblique, pelvic-floor muscles

Deep cervical flexors

Consist of: the longus colli, longus capitus, rectus capitus and longus cervicus. All help you maintain neck stability and good posture.

Mid/lower trapezius

Flat triangular muscles of the shoulder and upper back that are involved in moving the shoulders and arms. Responsible for scapular depression.

Upper trapezius (UT)

It is a major muscle that affects movement and stability of both the scapula and cervical spine. This muscle is a large superficial back muscle that resembles a trapezoid. It extends from the external protuberance of the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae and laterally to the spine of the scapula. It has upper, middle, and lower groups of fibers.

Hamstring Complex (HMC)

It is located in the posterior thigh, comprising the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris (long and short head) muscles.

Quadriceps

Large fleshy muscle group covering the front and sides of the thigh. It has four parts: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius.

Abdominal complex (rectus abdominis, external obliques)

Muscles of the anterior abdominal wall consists of two vertical muscles located on the midline and bisected by linea alba; Rectus abdominis and pyramidalis and three flat muscles on the anterolateral side arranged from superficial to deep; external abdominal oblique, internal abdominal oblique, transversus abdominis. These muscles support the trunk, allow movement and hold organs in place by regulating internal abdominal pressure. These muscles, together with muscles in the back, make up your 'core' muscles and help keep your body stable and balanced, and protects your spine.

Pectoralis major/minor

Muscles of the chest that assist the swinging movements of the arm. This muscle arises from the middle ribs and inserts into (attaching to) the scapula (shoulder blade). It aids in drawing the shoulder forward and downward (in opposition to the trapezius muscle)

Medial hamstring complex

The Semitendinosus and Semimembranosus Hamstring Muscles. The semitendinosus is another long, big hamstring muscle. At first glance, it is situated medially, or toward the inside of the back of the thigh, relative to the biceps femoris. The semimembranosus, the third of the hamstring muscles, is a broad muscle (like the semitendinosus.) Unlike the semitendinosus muscle, at first glance, it seems a bit tucked away. Semitendinosus and semimembranosus extend the hip when the trunk is fixed; they also flex the knee and medially (inwardly) rotate the lower leg when the knee is bent.

Adductor complex

The adductor muscles of the hip are a group of muscles mostly used for bringing the thighs together (called adduction) and are commonly referred to as groin muscles. It includes the three adductor muscles (longus, magnus, and brevis). They pull the legs together when they contract. They also help stabilize the hip joint

Rotator cuff

This includes muscles such as the supraspinatus muscle, the infraspinatus muscle, the teres minor muscle and the subscapularis muscle. These muscles are important in shoulder movements and in maintaining glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint) stability. These muscles arise from the scapula and connect to the head of the humerus, forming a cuff at the shoulder joint

Latissimus dorsi

This is a large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides, behind the arm, and is partly covered by the trapezius on the back near the midline. It is the largest muscle in the upper body. It is responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension also known as horizontal abduction, flexion from an extended position, and (medial) internal rotation of the shoulder joint.

Anterior Tibialis

This is a muscle in humans that originates in the upper two-thirds of the lateral (outside) surface of the tibia and inserts into the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal bones of the foot. It acts to dorsiflex and invert the foot. This muscle is mostly located near the shin.

Levator scapulae

This is a skeletal muscle situated at the back and side of the neck. As the Latin name suggests, its main function is to lift the scapula.

Teres major

This is a thick muscle of the shoulder joint. Originating from the scapula and inserting into the humerus, this muscle is responsible for the movement of the humerus and hence the arm in three different directions. It is a medial rotator and adductor of the humerus and assists the latissimus dorsi in drawing the previously raised humerus downwards and backwards (extension, but not hyper extension)

Tensor fascia latae (TFL)

This is a tiny muscle, inferior to the iliotibial band. This band, also called the IT band, is an elongated strip of fascia — a type of connective tissue — located in the thigh and knee. It is a muscle that may play a role in pain and dysfunction in the lower limb, pelvis and spine. This muscle works in synergy with the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles to abduct and medially rotate the femur. It is a hip abductor muscle. To stretch this muscle, the knee may be brought medially across the body

Gracilis

This muscle is a superficial (close to the surface of the skin) muscle of your groin and inner thigh that serves to adduct your hip. (Adduction is the action of pulling in towards the midline of your body.) The muscle also serves to help your hamstrings bend your knee.

Sternocleidomastoid

This muscle is a two-headed neck muscle, which bears attachments to the manubrium of sternum, the clavicle, and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The function of this muscle is to rotate the head to the opposite side or obliquely rotate the head. It also flexes the neck. When both sides of the muscle act together, it flexes the neck and extends the head.

Gluteus medius

This muscle is located directly under the gluteus maximus. It originates at the back of the ilium below its crest and stretches downward to the greater trochanter of the femur. This muscle is the prime mover of abduction at hip joint. Anterior portion of this muscle abduct , assist in flexion and medial rotation of hip. Posterior portion of this muscle abduct , assist in ext and lateral rotation of hip.

Psoas

This muscle is located in the lower lumbar region of the spine and extends through the pelvis to the femur. This muscle works by flexing the hip joint and lifting the upper leg towards the body. A common example of the movement created from this muscle is walking.

Vastus lateralis

This muscle is located on the side of the thigh. This muscle is the largest of the quadriceps group (often called quads) which also includes the rectus femoris, the vastus intermedius, and the vastus medialis. The specific task of this muscle is to extend the lower leg and allow the body to rise up from a squatting position. On the upper end, the muscle attaches to the femur; on the lower end it attaches to the patella, or kneecap. Taken together, the muscles of the legs allow strength and stability.

Lateral gastrocnemius

This muscle is located with the soleus in the posterior (back) compartment of the leg. The lateral head originates from the lateral condyle of the femur. Along with the soleus muscle, this muscle forms half of the calf muscle. Its function is plantar flexing the foot at the ankle joint and flexing the leg at the knee joint. This muscle is primarily involved in running, jumping and other "fast" movements of leg, and to a lesser degree in walking and standing.

Medial gastrocnemius

This muscle is located with the soleus in the posterior (back) compartment of the leg. The medial head originates from the medial condyle of the femur. Along with the soleus muscle, this muscle forms half of the calf muscle. Its function is plantar flexing the foot at the ankle joint and flexing the leg at the knee joint. This muscle is primarily involved in running, jumping and other "fast" movements of leg, and to a lesser degree in walking and standing.

Vastus medialis oblique (VMO)

This muscle is one of four quadriceps muscles. This muscle sits medially or on the inside of your thigh. Its primary function is to extend the knee.

Rectus femoris

This muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles and part of the hip flexor complex. It is located in the middle of the front of the thigh. It is responsible for knee extension and hip and thigh flexion. It is the main muscle that can flex the hip.

Biceps femoris (short head)

This muscle is one of the hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh. It flexes the leg at the knee; laterally rotates leg when the knee is flexed.

Sartorius

This muscle is the longest muscle in the entire human body. It is a long, thin, band-like muscle found in the anterior region of the thigh. This muscle functions as an important flexor and rotator of the thigh at the hip joint.

gluteus maximus

This muscle is the main extensor muscle of the hip. It is the largest and outermost of the three gluteal muscles and makes up a large part of the shape and appearance of each side of the hips. Its thick fleshy mass, in a quadrilateral shape, forms the prominence of the buttocks. This muscle is responsible for movement of the hip and thigh and is considered one of the strongest muscles in the body.

Popliteus

This muscle is the muscle of the leg. Its deepest muscle of the knee joint which forms the floor of the popliteus fossa. It is the only muscle in the posterior (back) compartment of the lower leg that acts just on the knee and not on the ankle. Its a thin, flat, triangular shape muscle.

Rhomboids

Upper back muscles that connect between your spine and each of your two shoulder blades. When they contract, they pull your shoulder blades together. The muscle fibers comprising these muscles run on a diagonal.