Muscles of the Upper Limb - Listed Alphabetically

Muscle Origin Insertion Action Innervation Artery Notes

abductor pisiform base of the abducts the 5th deep branch of ulnar a. abductor digiti
digiti minimi proximal digit the ulnar nerve minimi, flexor
(hand) phalanx of digiti minimi
the 5th digit brevis, and
on its ulnar opponens digiti
side minimi are
located in the
hypothenar
compartment of
the hand
abductor flexor base of the abducts thumb recurrent superficial abductor
pollicis brevis retinaculum, proximal branch of palmar br. of pollicis brevis,
scaphoid, phalanx of median nerve the radial a. flexor pollicis
trapezium the first digit brevis, and
opponens
pollicis are
located in the
thenar
compartment of
the hand
abductor middle one- radial side of abducts the thumb radial nerve, posterior the tendons of
pollicis third of the the base of at carpometacarpal deep branch interosseous abductor
longus posterior the first joint a. pollicis longus
surface of metacarpal and extensor
the radius, pollicis brevis
interosseous make the lateral
membrane, border of the
mid-portion anatomical
of snuffbox
posterolatera
l ulna
adductor oblique base of the adducts the thumb ulnar nerve, deep palmar deep palmar
pollicis head: proximal deep branch arterial arch arch and deep
capitate and phalanx of ulnar nerve pass
base of the the thumb between the two
2nd and 3rd heads of
metacarpals; adductor
transverse pollicis, which
head: shaft is in the
of the 3rd adductor-
metacarpal interosseous
compartment
anconeus lateral lateral side extends the nerve to interosseous none
epicondyle of the forearm anconeus, from recurrent a.
of the olecranon the radial nerve
humerus and the
upper one-
fourth of the
ulna
biceps brachii short head: tuberosity of flexes the forearm, musculocutaneo brachial a. a powerful
tip of the the radius flexes arm (long us nerve (C5,6) supinator only
 coracoid head), supinates if the elbow is
process of flexed
the scapula;
long head:
supraglenoid
tubercle of
the scapula
brachialis anterior coronoid flexes the forearm musculocutaneo brachial a., a powerful
surface of process of us nerve (C5,6) radial flexor
the lower the ulna recurrent a.
one-half of
the humerus
and the
associated
intermuscula
r septa
brachioradiali upper two- lateral side flexes the elbow, radial nerve radial although
s thirds of the of the base assists in recurrent a. brachioradialis
lateral of the pronation & is innervated by
supracondyl styloid supination the nerve for
ar ridge of process of extensors
the humerus the radius (radial), its
primary action
is elbow
flexion; the
neutral position
of this muscle is
half way
between
supination and
pronation
(elbow flexed,
thumb up)
coracobrachia coracoid medial side flexes and adducts musculocutaneo brachial a. the
lis process of of the the arm us nerve (C5,6) musculocutaneo
the scapula humerus at us nerve passes
mid-shaft through the
coracobrachialis
muscle to reach
the other arm
flexor mm.
(biceps brachii
and brachialis)

deltoid lateral one- deltoid abducts arm; axillary nerve posterior the deltoid
third of the tuberosity of anterior fibers flex (C5,6) from the circumflex muscle is the
clavicle, the humerus & medially rotate posterior cord humeral a. principle
acromion, the arm; posterior of the brachial abductor of the
the lower lip fibers extend & plexus arm but due to
of the crest laterally rotate the poor
of the spine arm mechanical
of the advantage it
scapula cannot initiate
this action; it is
assisted by the
 supraspinatus
m.
dorsal four base of the flex the ulnar nerve, dorsal and bipennate
interosseous muscles, proximal metacarpophalang deep branch palmar muscles;
(hand) each arising phalanx and eal joint, extend metacarpal remember DAB
from two the extensor the proximal and aa. & PAD - Dorsal
adjacent expansion distal interosseous
metacarpal on lateral interphalangeal mm. ABduct
shafts side of the joints of digits 2-4, and Palmar
2nd digit, abduct digits 2-4 interosseous
lateral & (abduction of mm. ADduct -
medial sides digits in the hand then you can
of the 3rd is defined as figure out
digit, and movement away where they
medial side from the midline must insert to
of the 4th of the 3rd digit) cause these
digit actions
extensor carpi lateral dorsum of extends the wrist; radial nerve radial a. works with the
radialis brevis supracondyl the third abducts the hand extensor carpi
ar ridge of metacarpal radialis longus
the humerus bone (base) and flexor carpi
(common radialis in
extensor abduction of the
tendon hand
extensor carpi lower one- dorsum of extends the wrist; deep radial radial a. works with the
radialis third of the the second abducts the hand nerve extensor carpi
longus lateral metacarpal radialis brevis
supracondyl bone (base) and flexor carpi
ar ridge of radialis in
the humerus abduction of the
hand
extensor carpi common medial side extends the wrist; deep radial ulnar a. works with the
ulnaris extensor of the base adducts the hand nerve flexor carpi
tendon & the of the 5th ulnaris in
middle one- metacarpal adduction of the
half of the hand
posterior
border of the
ulna
extensor digiti common joins the extends the deep radial interosseous extensor digiti
minimi extensor extensor metacarpophalang nerve recurrent a. minimi appears
tendon digitorum eal, proximal to be the ulnar-
(lateral tendon to the interphalangeal most portion of
epicondyle 5th digit and and distal extensor
of the inserts into interphalangeal digitorum
humerus) the extensor joints of the 5th
expansion digit
extensor common extensor extends the deep radial interosseous the extensor
digitorum extensor expansion of metacarpophalang nerve recurrent a. expansion
tendon digits 2-5 eal, proximal and posterior inserts via a
(lateral interphalangeal interosseous central band on
epicondyle and distal a. the base of the
of the interphalangeal middle phalanx,
humerus) joints of the 2nd- while lateral &
5th digits; extends medial slips
 wrist insert on the
distal phalanx
extensor interosseous its tendon extends the index deep radial posterior extensor indicis
indicis membrane joins the finger at the nerve interosseous a is a deep
and the tendon of metacarpophalang forearm
posterolatera the extensor eal, proximal extensor,
l surface of digitorum to interphalangeal whereas
the distal the second and distal extensor digiti
ulna digit; both interphalangeal minimi is in the
tendons joints superficial layer
insert into of extensors
the extensor
expansion
extensor interosseous base of the extends the thumb deep radial posterior the tendons of
pollicis brevis membrane proximal at the nerve interosseous a extensor
and the phalanx of metacarpophalang pollicis brevis
posterior the thumb eal joint and abductor
surface of pollicis longus
the distal make the lateral
radius border of the
anatomical
snuffbox, in
which the radial
arterial pulse
can be felt
extensor interosseous base of the extends the thumb deep radial posterior the tendon of
pollicis membrane distal at the nerve interosseous a extensor
longus and middle phalanx of interphalangeal pollicis longus
part of the the thumb joint hooks around
posterolatera the dorsal radial
l surface of tubercle; it
the ulna forms the
medial border
of the
anatomical
snuffbox, in
which the radial
arterial pulse
can be felt
flexor carpi common base of the flexes the wrist, median nerve ulnar a. works with the
radialis flexor second and abducts the hand extensor carpi
tendon from third radialis longus
the medial metacarpals and brevis mm.
epicondyle to abduct hand
of the
humerus
flexor carpi common pisiform, flexes wrist, ulnar nerve ulnar a. the ulnar nerve
ulnaris flexor hook of adducts hand passes between
tendon & hamate, and the two heads
(ulnar head) base of 5th of origin of the
from medial metacarpal flexor carpi
border of ulnaris m.
olecranon &
upper 2/3 of
the posterior
 border of the
ulna
flexor digiti hook of proximal flexes the ulnar nerve, ulnar a. flexor digiti
minimi brevis hamate & phalanx of carpometacarpal deep branch minimi brevis,
(hand) the flexor the 5th digit and abductor digiti
retinaculum metacarpophalang minimi, and
eal joints of the opponens digiti
5th digit minimi are in
the hypothenar
compartment of
the hand
flexor posterior base of the flexes the median nerve ulnar a., ulnar nerve
digitorum border of the distal metacarpophalang (radial one- anterior innervates the
profundus ulna, phalanx of eal, proximal half); ulnar interosseous portion of
proximal digits 2-5 interphalangeal nerve (ulnar a. profundus that
two-thirds of and distal one-half) acts on digits 4
medial interphalangeal & 5 (the ulnar 2
border of joints digits)
ulna,
interosseous
membrane
flexor humeroulnar shafts of the flexes the median nerve ulnar a. median nerve
digitorum head: middle metacarpophalang travels distally
superficialis common phalanges of eal and proximal in the forearm
flexor digits 2-5 interphalangeal on the deep
tendon; joints surface of the
radial head: flexor
middle 1/3 digitorum
of radius superficialis m.
flexor pollicis flexor proximal flexes the recurrent superficial flexor pollicis
brevis retinaculum, phalanx of carpometacarpal branch of the palmar br. of brevis, abductor
trapezium the 1st digit and median nerve the radial a. pollicis brevis,
metacarpophalang and opponens
eal joints of the pollicis are the
thumb three muscles of
the thenar
compartment of
the hand
flexor pollicis anterior base of the flexes the median nerve anterior the tendon of
longus surface of distal metacarpophalang interosseous flexor pollicis
radius and phalanx of eal and a. longus passes
interosseous the thumb interphalangeal through the
membrane joints of the thumb carpal tunnel
with the other
long digital
flexor tendons
and the median
nerve
infraspinatus infraspinato greater laterally rotates suprascapular suprascapular infraspinatus,
us fossa tubercle of the arm nerve a. supraspinatus,
the humerus teres minor and
(middle subscapularis
facet) are the rotator
cuff muscles
interosseous, four base of the flex the ulnar nerve, dorsal and bipennate
dorsal (hand) muscles, proximal metacarpophalang deep branch palmar muscles;
each arising phalanx and eal joint, extend metacarpal remember DAB
from two the extensor the proximal and aa. & PAD - Dorsal
adjacent expansion distal interosseous
metacarpal on lateral interphalangeal mm. ABduct
shafts side of the joints of digits 2-4, and Palmar
2nd digit, abduct digits 2-4 interosseous
lateral & (abduction of mm. ADduct -
medial sides digits in the hand then you can
of the 3rd is defined as figure out
digit, and movement away where they
medial side from the midline must insert to
of the 4th of the 3rd digit) cause these
digit actions
interosseous, three base of the flexes the ulnar nerve, palmar unipennate
palmar muscles, proximal metacarpophalang deep branch metacarpal muscles;
arising from phalanx and eal, extends aa. remember PAD
the palmar extensor proximal and & DAB: Palmar
surface of expansion of distal interossei
the shafts of the medial interphalangeal ADduct and
metacarpals side of digit joints and adducts Dorsal
2, 4, & 5 2, and lateral digits 2, 4, & 5 interossei
side of digits (adduction of the ABduct, and
4&5 digits of the hand you will be able
is in reference to to figure out
the midline of the where they
3rd digit) must insert
latissimus vertebral floor of the extends the arm thoracodorsal thoracodorsal the inserting
dorsi spines from intertubercul and rotates the arm nerve (C7,8) a. tendon twists so
T7 to the ar groove medially from the that fibers
sacrum, posterior cord originating
posterior of the brachial highest insert
third of the plexus lowest
iliac crest,
lower 3 or 4
ribs,
sometimes
from the
inferior
angle of the
scapula
levator transverse medial elevates the dorsal scapular dorsal levator scapulae
scapulae processes of border of the scapula nerve (C5); the scapular a. is named for its
C1-C4 scapula from upper part of action
vertebrae the superior the muscle
angle to the receives
spine branches of C3
& C4
lumbrical flexor extensor flex the median nerve superficial lumbricals,
(hand) digitorum expansion metacarpophalang (radial 2) via palmar (lumbricus is
profundus on the radial eal joints, extend palmar digital arterial arch latin for
tendons of side of the the proximal and nerves & ulnar "worm") arise
digits 2-5 proximal distal nerve (ulnar 2) from the
phalanx of interphalangeal via deep branch profundus
digits 2-5 joints of digits 2-5 tendons and
 have the same
pattern of
innervation as
does the
profundus
muscle (ulnar
and median nn.
split the task
equally)
opponens hook of shaft of 5th opposes the 5th ulnar nerve, ulnar a. opposition is a
digiti minimi hamate and metacarpal digit deep branch rotational
flexor movement of
retinaculum the 5th
metacarpal
around the long
axis of its shaft;
opponens digiti
minimi,
abductor digiti
minimi, and
flexor digiti
minimi brevis
are in the
hypothenar
compartment of
the hand
opponens flexor shaft of 1st opposes the thumb recurrent superficial opposition is a
pollicis retinaculum, metacarpal branch of palmar rotational
trapezium median nerve branch of the movement of
radial a. the 1st
metacarpal
around the long
axis of its shaft;
opponens
pollicis,
abductor
pollicis brevis,
and flexor
pollicis brevis
are in the thenar
compartment of
the hand
palmar three base of the flexes the ulnar nerve, palmar unipennate
interosseous muscles, proximal metacarpophalang deep branch metacarpal muscles;
arising from phalanx and eal, extends aa. remember PAD
the palmar extensor proximal and & DAB: Palmar
surface of expansion of distal interossei
the shafts of the medial interphalangeal ADduct and
metacarpals side of digit joints and adducts Dorsal
2, 4, & 5 2, and lateral digits 2, 4, & 5 interossei
side of digits (adduction of the ABduct, and
4&5 digits of the hand you will be able
is in reference to to figure out
the midline of the where they
3rd digit) must insert
palmaris fascia skin of the draws the skin of superficial br. ulnar a. palmaris brevis
brevis overlying palm near the ulnar side of of the ulnar n. improves the
the the ulnar the hand toward grasp
hypothenar border of the the center of the
eminence hand palm
palmaris common palmar flexes the wrist median nerve ulnar a. palmaris longus
longus flexor aponeurosis is absent in
tendon, from about 13% of
the medial forearms; it
epicondyle may be present
of the on one side
humerus only
pectoralis medial 1/2 crest of the flexes and adducts medial and pectoral the deep fascia
major of the greater the arm, medially lateral pectoral branch of the on its anterior
clavicle, tubercle of rotates the arm nerves (C5-T1) thoracoacrom surface should
manubrium the humerus ial trunk not be fused to
& body of the fascia of the
sternum, mammary gland
costal - if it is, this is
cartilages of an important
ribs 2-6, clinical sign
sometimes indicating
from the breast disease
rectus sheath
of the upper
abdominal
wall
pectoralis ribs 3-5 coracoid draws the scapula medial pectoral pectoral branches of
minor process of forward, nerve (C8, T1) branch of the medial pectoral
the scapula medialward, and thoracoacrom nerve usually
downward ial trunk pierce
pectoralis minor
to reach the
pectoralis major
muscle
pronator medial side anterior pronates the median nerve anterior pronator
quadratus of the surface of forearm via the anterior interosseous quadratus is the
anterior the distal interosseous a. deepest muscle
surface of one-fourth nerve in the distal
the distal of the radius forearm; it
one-fourth works with
of the ulna pronator teres
and has the
same nerve
supply
pronator teres common midpoint of pronates the median nerve ulnar a., median nerve
flexor the lateral forearm anterior ulnar passes between
tendon and side of the recurrent a. the two heads
(deep or shaft of the of origin of
ulnar head) radius pronator teres
from medial
side of
coronoid
process of
the ulna
rhomboideus spines of medial retracts, elevates dorsal scapular dorsal named for its
major vertebrae border of the and rotates the nerve (C5) scapular a. shape
T2-T5 scapula scapula inferiorly
inferior to
the spine of
the scapula
rhomboideus inferior end medial retracts, elevates dorsal scapular dorsal named for its
minor of the border of the and rotates the nerve (C5) scapular a shape
ligamentum scapula at scapula inferiorly
nuchae, the root of
spines of the spine of
vertebrae C7 the scapula
and T1
serratus ribs 1-8 or 9 medial it draws the long thoracic lateral a lesion of long
anterior border of the scapula forward; nerve (from thoracic a. thoracic nerve
scapula on the inferior fibers ventral rami will cause
its costal rotate the scapula C5-C7) winging of the
(deep) superiorly scapula (i.e., the
surface medial border
of the scapula
falls away from
the posterior
chest wall and
looks like an
angel's wing)
serratus thoracolumb ribs 9-12, pulls down lower branches of the lowest a respiratory
posterior ar fascia, lateral to the ribs ventral primary posterior muscle, it
inferior spines of angles rami of spinal intercostal a., receives ventral
vertebrae nerves T9-T12 subcostal a., ramus
T11-T12 and first two innervation;
L1-L2 lumbar aa. embryonically
related to the
intercostal
muscles, not the
deep back mm.
serratus ligamentum ribs 1-4, elevates the upper branches of the posterior a respiratory
posterior nuchae, lateral to the ribs ventral primary intercostal aa. muscle, it
superior spines of angles rami of spinal 1-4 receives ventral
vertebrae C7 nerves T1-T4 ramus
and T1-T3 innervation;
embryonically
related to the
intercostal
muscles, not the
deep back mm.
subclavius first rib and inferior draws the clavicle nerve to clavicular br. it serves an
its cartilage surface of (and hence the subclavius (C5) of the important
the clavicle shoulder) down thoracoacrom protective
and forward ial trunk function - it
cushions the
subclavian
vessels from
bone fragments
in clavicular
fractures
subscapularis medial two- lesser medially rotates upper and lower subscapular a. subscapularis,
 thirds of the tubercle of the arm; assists subscapular supraspinatus,
costal the humerus extention of the nerves (C5,6) infraspinatus,
surface of arm and teres minor
the scapula are the rotator
(subscapular cuff muscles
fossa)
supinator lateral lateral side supinates the deep radial recurrent deep radial
epicondyle of proximal forearm nerve interosseous nerve passes
of the one-third of a. through the
humerus, the radius supinator to
supinator reach the
crest & fossa posterior
of the ulna, compartment of
radial the forearm
collateral
ligament,
annular
ligament
supraspinatus supraspinato greater abducts the arm suprascapular suprascapular supraspinatus
us fossa tubercle of (initiates nerve (C5,6) a. initiates
the humerus abduction) from the abduction of the
(highest superior trunk arm, then the
facet) of the brachial deltoid muscle
plexus completes the
action; a
member of the
rotator cuff
group
teres major dorsal crest of the adducts the arm, lower circumflex teres major
surface of lesser medially rotates subscapular scapular a. inserts beside
the inferior tubercle of the arm, assists in nerve (C5,6) the tendon of
angle of the the humerus arm extension from the latissimus dorsi,
scapula posterior cord and assists
of the brachial latissimus in its
plexus actions
teres minor upper 2/3 of greater laterally rotates axillary nerve circumflex fixes the head
the lateral tubercle of the arm (C5,6) from the scapular a. of the humerus
border of the the humerus posterior cord in the glenoid
scapula (lowest of the brachial fossa during
facet) plexus abduction &
flexion of the
arm; a member
of the rotator
cuff group
trapezius medial third lateral third elevates and motor: spinal transverse named for its
of the of the depresses the accessory (XI), cervical a. shape; trapezius
superior clavicle, scapula proprioception: is an example
nuchal line, medial side (depending on C3-C4 of a muscle that
external of the which part of the migrates during
occipital acromion muscle contracts); development
protuberance and the rotates the scapula from its level of
, upper crest superiorly; retracts origin (cervical)
ligamentum of the scapula to its final
nuchae, scapular position, pulling
spinous spine, its nerve and
 processes of tubercle of artery along
vertebrae the scapular behind
C7-T12 spine
triceps brachii long head: olecranon extends the radial nerve deep brachial long head of the
infraglenoid process of forearm; the long (profunda triceps
tubercle of the ulna head extends and brachii) a. separates the
the scapula; adducts arm triangular and
lateral head: quadrangular
posterolatera spaces (teres
l humerus & major, teres
lateral minor and the
intermuscula humerus are the
r septum; other
medial head: boundaries); all
posteromedi three heads of
al surface of origin insert by
the inferior a common
1/2 of the tendon
humerus