Diaphragm

Meaning

dia = across
phram = fence

Function

contraction = inhalation
relaxing = exhalation

Origin

lower six ribs,
lower spine and
xyphoid process (sternum)

Insertion

central tendon

spaceholder

_________________________

External oblique

Meaning

ex = out of
external = on outside
oblique = slanted,
sidelong

Function

rotate trunk, supports
abdominal wall,
compresses the
abdominal cavity,
abducts and rotates
trunk

Origin

lower eight ribs

Insertion

iliac crest, rectus
sheath, pubic
crest & ligament

_________________________

Iliocostalis cervicis

Meaning

ilium = groin of flank
costa = rib
cervix = neck

Function

extends, hyper-extends
and flexes cervical vertebrae

Origin

ribs 3 - 6

Insertion

vertebrae C4 - C6

_________________________

Meaning

ilium = groin of flank
costa = rib
thorax = chest, chest plate
digitorum = digitus =
pointing thing
longus = long

Function

extends & flexes spine

Origin

iliocostalis lumborum
and ribs 7 - 12

Insertion

ribs 1 - 6 & C7

_________________________

Internal oblique

Meaning

internal = on inside
oblique = slanted, sidelong

Function

abducts and rotates
trunk, supports abdominal
wall, helps forced
respiration & raising
intra-abdominal pressure

Origin

lumbar fascia, groin
ligaments and iliac crest

Insertion

pubic crest, pectineal
line, rectus sheath and
bottom edge of the rib cage

_________________________

Latissimus dorsi

Meaning

latissimus = broadest
dorsi = back

Function

extents, adducts &
rotates arm

Origin

lumbar fascia, iliac
crest, spinous
processes T7 - T12,
last four ribs
and lesser scapula angle

Insertion

bicipital groove of humerus

_________________________

Pectoralis major

Meaning

pectus = breast
major = great in size or importance

Function

flexes, adducts
and rotates arm

Origin

inner clavicle, outer
sternum, first six
ribs and white
fibrous tissue of
external oblique

Insertion

bicipital humeral
groove and deltoid
tuberosity

_________________________

Pectoralis minor

Meaning

pectus = breeast
minor = lesser

Function

elevates 3^rd - 5^th rib (inhalation)
and protracts (extends) scapula

Origin

3^rd, 4^th & 5th rib

Insertion

coracoid process (scapula)

_________________________

Quadratus lumborum

Meaning

quadrus = square
lumbus = loin

Function

flexes hip, and
adducts & rotates thigh

Origin

iliac crest, iliolumbar
ligament and apex of L1-4

Insertion

lower border of 12^thrib

_________________________

Rectus abdominis

Meaning

rectus = straight
abdom = lower venter, belly

Function

flexes spinal column and
increase intra-abdominal pressure

Origin

pubic symphysis

Insertion

ribs 5 - 7 and
xiphoid process (sternum)

_________________________

Rhomboid major

Meaning

rhomboid = rhombus
major = great in size or importance

Function

retracts & rotate
scapula

Origin

supraspinous
ligament and
spinous T2 - T5
processes

Insertion

lower border of
scapula and base
of scapular spine

_________________________

Rhomboid minor

Meaning

rhomboid = rhombus
minor = lesser

Function

retracts & rotate
scapula

Origin

nuchea and spines
of C7 & T1

Insertion

border of scapula

_________________________

Serratus anterior

Meaning

serratus = saw shaped
anterior = front, fore

Function

rotates & protracts
scapula

Origin

external oblique, upper
eight ribs and midclavicular
line membrane

Insertion

inner border of scapula

_________________________

Transversus abdominis

   Meaning

transversus = crosswise
abdom = lower venter, belly

Function

supports abdominal
wall and increases
the intraabdominal
pressure

Origin

lumbar fascia, iliac
crest and inguinal
ligament

Insertion

fibrous tissue of
rectus sheath,
pubic crest and
pectineal line

_________________________

Trapezius

Meaning

trapezoid shaped

Function

rotates, elevates
and retracts
shoulder blades,
flexes neck

Origin

nuchal line, back of
neck (nuchae), spinous
processes and T12 ligament

Insertion

clavicle, scapula & acromion

_________________________

Psoas major

Meaning

psoas = muscle of the loin
major = great in size or importance

Function

flexes & rotates hip

Origin

L1-5, L1-5 & T12-L4

Insertion

lower trochanter of femur

_________________________

Iliacus

Meaning

ilium = flank or groin

Function

flexes and externally
rotates the femur,
hip flexor

Origin

iliac fossa

Insertion

lower trochanter of femur

_________________________

Gluteus maximus

Meaning

gloutos = the rump
maximus = great
outermost muscle
of the buttocks

Function

extends & rotates hip

Origin

coccyx (tailbone),
sacrum and ilium

Insertion

gluteal tuberosity
(rounded prominence
on bone) of
femur and iliotibial
tract

_________________________

Gluteus medius

Meaning

gloutos = the rump
medius = middle

Function

abducts hip joint

Origin

between back and
middle gluteal
lines of ilieum

Insertion

trocanter of femur