The average gym rat uses the term “hamstrings” to refer to the muscles on the back of thigh, whose primary function is knee flexion. If you want to get really technical, “hamstrings” technically refer to the tendons on either end of the posterior thigh muscles, namely the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris (which includes both … Read more

The brachioradialis (G. brachion, arm. L. radius, stake or rod [shape of radius bone]) is a large forearm muscle, whose name refers to its connection between the upper arm and radius. It is located in the superficial posterior compartment of the forearm, which includes many of the wrist extensor muscles… …But unlike the wrist extensors, the brachioradialis is mostly … Read more

The pectoralis minor (L. pectus, chest ; minor, smaller.) is the smaller and lesser-known of the two chest muscles. It helps stabilize the scapula and is the prime mover in scapular downward rotation. It’s involved in other scapular movements, which I’ll cover later. It is technically classified as part of the anterior axioappendicular muscle group. … Read more

The gastrocnemius (G. gaster, belly ; kneme, leg.), or “gastroc” for short, is the largest muscle in the calf, which acts on both the ankle and knee joints. It shares the role of prime mover in ankle plantarflexion with the soleus, but only when the knee is straight. The gastroc becomes less active the more the … Read more

The soleus (L. solea, sandal.) is the smaller of the two major calf muscles; the other muscle being the gastrocnemius (gastroc). Fun fact: It was originally named after its resemblance to the flat, sandal-shaped sole fish, whose name also comes from the Latin word, solea. The soleus and gastroc are both prime movers in ankle plantarflexion when … Read more

The brachialis (G. brachion, arm.) is a lesser-known arm muscle located on the front of the humerus. It is the prime mover in elbow flexion. Since it only crosses one joint, its contribution to elbow flexion is always the same, no matter the position of the shoulder joint or rotation of the forearm. It’s the … Read more

The biceps brachii (L. biceps, two-headed [bis, twice ; caput, head] ; G. brachion, arm.), commonly known as the biceps, is the prominent two-headed muscle of the arm. It acts on the elbow, forearm and shoulder, with it’s main role being a synergist in elbow flexion. Note: The biceps is most active in elbow flexion … Read more

The lower trapezius (G. trapeza, four-sided or four-legged table.) is not an individual muscle, itself, but rather it is the lowermost section of fibers in the trapezius muscle. It acts on the scapula, with its main role as the prime mover in scapular depression. Also worth noting is its important role as a scapular stabilizer: … Read more

The middle trapezius (G. trapeza, four-sided or four-legged table.) refers to the middle section of fibers in the trapezius, between the upper and lower trapezius fibers. It acts on the scapula and is the prime mover in scapular retraction. The middle trapezius is grouped as a superficial posterior axioappendicular (extrinsic shoulder) muscle. It’s situated between … Read more

The teres minor (L. teres, round and long ; minor, smaller.) is a small rotator cuff muscle, which is hidden from the surface of the physique. It acts on the shoulder joint and is a prime mover (along with the infraspinatus) in shoulder external rotation. Like all rotator cuff muscles, it also helps stabilize the … Read more