Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology

Unit 2 – Muscles of the body

Lesson 2.4 – Muscles of the torso

Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 2.4 Muscles of the torso

Step 1 – Individual muscles

It is important for you to be able to locate, identify and understand the function of
some of the individual muscles of the body.

The parts of the body usually have Latin names, and muscles are no exception. In
some cases, the names are rather long. Wherever possible, we’ll give you a
shorter name and this is the one you’ll probably prefer to remember.

As we go through the muscles, try to work out where each one is in your own
body.

Step 2 – Individual muscles Note: You can only complete this activity on line.
Move your mouse over the labels to hear the names of the muscles.

This picture shows a front view of the whole body, with some of the muscles
labelled.

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Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 2.4 Muscles of the torso

Step 3 – The pelvic floor

The pelvic floor is exactly as it sounds the floor of the pelvis. It is a sling of
muscles attached to the walls of the pelvis from the pubis at the front to the coccyx
at the back. It consists of two halves joined in the middle to allow the urethra,
vagina and anus to pass through (relative to the female).

Coccygeus
 Origin: ischial spine
 Insertion: lower sacrum and upper coccyx

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Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 2.4 Muscles of the torso

 Action: supports and slightly raises pelvic floor, resists increased intra-
abdominal pressure, and pulls coccyx forward following defecation and
child-birth

Levator ani
This muscle is divided into two parts: the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus.

Pubococcygeus
 Origin: pubis
 Insertion: coccyx, urethra, anal canal and central tendon of the perineum
 Action: supports and slightly raises pelvic floor, resists increased intra-
abdominal pressure, and draws anus towards pubis and constricts it

Iliococcygeus
 Origin: ischial spine
 Insertion: coccyx
 Action: supports and slightly raises pelvic floor, resists increased intra-
abdominal pressure, and draws anus towards pubis and constricts it

Step 4 – The pelvic floor

Functions of the pelvic floor

 To support the organs of the pelvis (bladder, uterus and bowel) and the
abdominal contents
 To resist sudden rises in intra-abdominal pressure such as coughing,
sneezing, lifting and straining
 To have sphincteric control of the openings to maintain continence
 With regards to torso training, the most important function of the muscles of
the pelvic floor is to work with the TVA and the lumbar multifidus to stabilise
the spine by maintaining intra-abdominal pressure during exertion

Step 5 – Abdominals
The abdominal muscles
consist of 4 flat muscular
sheets:

The rectus abdominis flexes the vertebral column and compresses the abdomen.

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Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 2.4 Muscles of the torso

The external obliques (fibres directed downwards and forwards), cause

contraction of one side only, bends the vertebral column laterally and rotates the
vertebral column.

The internal obliques lie inside the external oblique (fibres are directed upwards
and forwards). These muscles cause contraction of one side only, bends the
vertebral column laterally and rotates the vertebral column.

The transversus abdominis lies inside the internal and external obliques (fibres
run horizontally forwards). Its main function is to compress the abdomen.

Step 6 – Abdominals

The abdominal muscles perform a variety of functions. They:

 Provide support and protection for the intestines

 Are needed in urination, defecation, childbirth, vomiting, coughing, and
forced expiration
 Initiate the movement of bending the trunk forward (flexion), sideways
(lateral flexion) and assist in rotation
 Are used in preventing hyperextension of the trunk
 Play an important role in stabilising the vertebral column

They originate on the pubic crest and pubic symphysis and insert on the 5th-7th
ribs and the xiphoid process.

Note: The xiphoid process is the lower part of the sternum.

Step 7 – Deltoids
The deltoid muscle is a large triangular-shaped muscle that forms the prominence
of each shoulder, and serves to raise the arm laterally (that is, it abducts the
shoulder joint). It also assists in flexing and extending the shoulder joint.

You may recall that we discussed abduction when looking at the skeleton. If you
hold your arm out to the side, you can feel this muscle at the top of the arm.

The muscle originates on the shoulder girdle and inserts onto the humerus.

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Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 2.4 Muscles of the torso

Step 8 – Pectorals
Now let's look at the pectorals. The Latin name is pectoralis major which comes
from the latin for breast-plate. The pectorals are the large muscles of the chest.
The main function of these muscles is to horizontally flex the shoulder joint. They
also assist in medially rotating and adducting the shoulder joint. The muscle
originates on the clavicle and sternum and inserts onto the humerus.

Step 9 – Activity Note: You can only complete this activity on line. The activity
shows a picture of a torso with lines leading to empty label boxes. You must select
the correct option from a drop down list to correctly label the diagram.

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Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 2.4 Muscles of the torso

Step 10 – Activity

List three functions of the abdominal muscles.

Feedback: The abdominal muscles:

 Provide support and protection for the intestines

 Are needed in urination, defecation, childbirth, vomiting, and coughing
 Initiate the movement of bending the trunk forward
 Are used in preventing hyperextension of the trunk
 Can bend the vertebral column sideways and assist in its rotation
 Play an important role in stabilisation of the spine

Step 11 – Activity Note: You can only complete this activity on line.

Question: What muscle flexes, adducts and rotates the shoulder joint?

Step 12 – Activity Note: You can only complete this activity on line.

Question: What muscle abducts the shoulder joint?

Step 13 – Summary

The abdominals are located on the front and side of the torso and are responsible
for flexion, lateral flexion and rotation of the spine.

The deltoids are located at the front, side and rear of the shoulder and are
responsible for abduction of the shoulder. They also assist in flexion and extension
of the shoulder.

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Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 2.4 Muscles of the torso

The pectorals are located at the front of the upper body. They are responsible for
horizontal flexion of the shoulder and also assist in rotation of the shoulder.

The pelvic floor muscles are located in the lower pelvic region and provide support
for the internal organs. They also resist increases in intra-abdominal pressure.

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