muscles of the upper body

Muscles of the

Upper Bodyby Carone Learning

© Carone Learning

Muscles and Bones

Skeletal muscle is usually connected to

two bones and spans a joint. When a

muscle contracts, or shortens, it

generally will move one of the bones

and the other bone stays relatively

stable.

It is important to know the bones a

muscle is connected to so that you can

understand what movement that muscle

will perform.

©Life Art

Muscles of the Upper Body

© Carone Learning

Origin and Insertion

The more stable, or fixed, attachment of

the muscle is known as the origin. The

origin of a muscle is generally the

proximal attachment, meaning it is

closer to the head.

The moveable attachment of the muscle

is known as the insertion. The insertion

of a muscle is usually the distal

attachment, meaning it is further from

the head.


© Carone Learning

Muscle Names

Knowing why a muscle has a specific

name can help you remember what

muscle it is.


© Carone Learning

Muscle Names

Muscles are usually named because of

the following:

• Shape: i.e.- like a rhomboid, like a

trapezoid, has two heads, etc.

• Location: i.e.- the chest, between the

ribs, on the upper arm, etc.

• Attachment site: i.e.- zygomatic bone,

tibia, etc.

• Size of the muscle: i.e.- larger, smaller,

long, short, etc.

• Orientation of the fibers: i.e.- straight,

across, oblique, etc.

• Relative position: i.e.- lateral, medial,

abdominal, internal, external, etc.

• Function: i.e.- adductor, flexor, extensor,

pronator, levator, etc.


© Carone Learning

Muscle Names

As you learn the muscles, try

to figure out why it was given

that name. Then find that

muscle on your body noting

where it begins (the origin)

and ends (the insertion).


© Carone Learning

Pectoral Girdle

The pectoral girdle includes the

clavicle and scapula, which connects the

upper limbs to the axial skeleton.

Strong, broad muscles are necessary to

keep the sternoclavicular joint stable.

These muscles include:

Anterior side

• Serratus anterior

• Pectoralis minor

Posterior side

• Trapezius

• Rhomboideus major

• Rhomboideus minor


© Carone Learning

Serratus Anterior

Serratus anterior- pulls the scapula

forward (abducts) and upward rotation

of the scapula

• Origin: lateral surface of the upper

ribs

• Insertion: medial border of the

scapula


© Carone Learning

Pectoralis Minor

Pectoralis Minor- pulls the scapula

forward (abducts) and downward

rotation of the scapula

• Origin: sternal ends of upper ribs

• Insertion: coracoids process of the

scapula


© Carone Learning

Trapezius

Trapezius- elevates and adducts the

scapula, upward rotation of the scapula,

and draws the head back

• Origin: occipital bone, spines of

cervical and thoracic vertebrae

• Insertion: clavicle, spine of scapula,

and acromion process of scapula


© Carone Learning

Rhomboideus

Rhomboideus major- elevates,

adducts, and downward rotation of the

scapula

• Origin: spines of several thoracic

vertebrae

• Insertion: medial border of the

scapula

Rhomboideus minor- elevates,

adducts, and downward rotation the

scapula

• Origin: 7th cervical and 1st thoracic

vertebrae (it is superior to the

rhomboideus major)

• Insertion: medial border of scapula


© Carone Learning

Movements

Muscles of the pectoral girdle

perform the following

movements:

• Abduction (also known as

protraction of the scapula)

• Adduction (also known as

retraction of the scapula)

• Elevation

• Upward rotation of the

scapula

• Downward rotation of the

scapula


© Carone Learning

Abduction, or protraction, of

the scapula is performed by:



Muscles of the Upper BodyAbduction of the Scapula

© Carone Learning

Adduction, or retraction, of

the scapula is performed by:



• Trapezius

Muscles of the Upper BodyAdduction of the Scapula

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Elevation of the scapula is

performed by:



• Trapezius

Muscles of the Upper BodyElevation of the Scapula

© Carone Learning

Upward rotation of the

scapula occurs when you

abduct the humerus. It is

performed by:


• Trapezius

Muscles of the Upper BodyUpward Rotation

©Life Art

© Carone Learning

Downward rotation of the

scapula occurs when you

adduct the humerus. It is

performed by:




Muscles of the Upper BodyDownward Rotation

Presented by

muscles of the upper body

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