Wrist Extensors: Functional Anatomy Guide

The wrist extensors are a group of nine individual muscles on the back of the forearm that act on the wrist and fingers. Collectively, their primary function is wrist extension, though they also help carry out other movements of the wrist and fingers. The individual wrist extensor muscles are as follows: Extensor carpi radialis longus … Read more

Posterior Deltoid: Functional Anatomy Guide

The posterior deltoid (L. posterior, behind ; deltoides, triangular) refers to the rear head of the three-headed deltoid muscle. It acts on the shoulder joint and is the prime mover in shoulder horizontal abduction. Located on the back of the shoulder – medial to the lateral deltoid and lateral to the middle trapezius – the posterior … Read more

Internal Oblique: Functional Anatomy Guide

The internal oblique (L. internus, internal ; obliquus, oblique.) is a flat sheet of muscle on either the side of the lower torso. It gets its name from being beneath the external oblique and having an oblique fiber direction relative to the midline. The most prominent actions of the internal oblique are spinal lateral flexion and spinal rotation. Notably, … Read more

Erector Spinae: Functional Anatomy Guide

The erector spinae (erigere, to erect ; spina, spine.) consists of three long, thin muscle groups running vertically up each side of the vertebral column: the iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis. These muscles act on different segments of the vertebral column (i.e. lumbar, thoracic, cervical). Collectively, they are the prime movers in spinal extension and spinal … Read more

Pectoralis Major: Functional Anatomy Guide

The pectoralis major (L. pectus, chest ; major, larger.) is a large, fan-shaped chest muscle. It acts on the shoulder and (indirectly on) the scapula, with its most prominent role being the prime mover in shoulder horizontal adduction. The pec major is the largest and most superficial of the anterior axioappendicular muscles, lying superficial to the entire pectoralis minor … Read more

Triceps Brachii: Functional Anatomy Guide

Literally meaning the three-headed muscle of the arm, the triceps brachii (L. tres, three ; caput, head ; brachium, arm.) consists of a long, lateral and medial head. It is primarily responsible for elbow extension. Known commonly as just the triceps, it is twice as big as its counterpart, the biceps brachii, and thus accounts for … Read more

Transversus Abdominis: Functional Anatomy Guide

The transversus abdominis (L. transversus, crosswise [trans, across ; vertere, to turn] ; abdo, to hide.) is a flat layer of muscle in the abdomen, whose fibers run transverse relative to the midline of the body. It is responsible for compressing the abdominal wall, helping to support and protect the internal organs, and assist in … Read more

Anterior Deltoid: Functional Anatomy Guide

The anterior deltoid (L. anterior, before, in front of ; deltoides, triangular) refers to the front head of the deltoid muscle. This part of the delt is responsible for shoulder flexion. Classified as part of the scapulohumeral (intrinsic shoulder) muscle group, the anterior deltoid is situated medial to the lateral deltoid and lateral to the clavicular head of … Read more

Lateral Deltoid: Functional Anatomy Guide

The lateral deltoid (L. latus, side ; deltoides, triangular) is the outermost head of the deltoid and is primarily responsible for performing shoulder abduction. The lateral deltoid is part of the scapulohumeral (intrinsic shoulder) muscle group. It is situated between the anterior and posterior deltoid, and lies superficial to the insertions of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor. It originates from the acromion process on … Read more

Infraspinatus: Functional Anatomy Guide

The infraspinatus (L. infra, below ; spinus, spine [of scapula]) is a thick rotator cuff muscle covering the majority of the posterior surface of the shoulder blade below the scapular spine. It is a prime mover in shoulder external rotation and plays important roles in shoulder stability. Most notably, it prevents excessive anterior and posterior … Read more