anterior view
extensor digitorum brevis
Muscle that allows the big toe to extend and reinforces the action of the long extensor (extension of certain toes).
peroneus longus
Muscle attached to the fibula enabling the foot to extend and to draw away from the median axis of the body; it also supports the plantar arch.
anterior tibialis
Thick muscle enabling the foot to flex on the leg and to draw near the median axis of the body; the posterior tibial allows the foot to extend.
rectus femoris
Powerful muscle enabling the knee to extend and the thigh to flex on the pelvis.
sartorius
Long narrow ribbon-shaped muscle enabling the thigh to flex and to rotate outwardly (outside the median axis); it also allows the leg to flex.
adductor longus
Long muscle enabling the thigh to draw near the median axis of the body; it also allows it to rotate outwardly (outside the median axis) and to flex.
tensor of fascia lata
Thick muscle especially enabling the leg to stretch and the thigh to flex and draw away from the median axis of the body; it also stabilizes the hip and the knee.
brachioradialis
Muscle mainly enabling the forearm to flex on the arm.
rectus abdominis
Flat muscle enabling the trunk to flex frontward; it protects and enables compression of the internal organs, and aids in expiration.
external oblique
Large thin muscle enabling the trunk to flex and to rotate on the pelvis and the internal organs to compress; it also aids in expiration.
deltoid
Thick triangular muscle drawing the arm away from the median axis of the body and directing it toward the front and back until it is horizontal.
masseter
Masticator muscle enabling the lower jaw to move.
orbicularis of eye
Large slender circular muscle surrounding the eye socket; it allows the eyelids to close.
plantar interosseous
Lower muscle of the foot enabling the three last toes to draw near the median axis of the foot; it also allows their first phalanx to flex.
extensor digitorum longus
Long muscle allowing all the toes, except the big toe, to extend; it also helps the foot to flex on the leg.
soleus
Thick muscle enabling the foot to extend, the heel to lift off the ground and the body to rise; it is a major muscle involved in walking, running and jumping.
gastrocnemius
Large thick muscle forming the curve of the calf and allowing the foot to extend; it also helps the knee to extend.
vastus lateralis
Large outer thigh muscle mainly allowing the knee to extend; it also stabilizes the knee.
ulnar flexor of wrist
Muscle enabling the hand to flex and to draw near the median axis of the body.
short palmaris
Muscle mainly enabling the hand to flex.
long palmaris
Muscle enabling various hand movements, including flexing it and drawing it away from the median axis of the body; it also helps to stabilize the wrist.
pronator teres
Short round muscle enabling the forearm to flex on the arm and to rotate inwardly, turning the palm of the hand toward the back.
brachialis
Powerful muscle enabling the forearm to flex on the arm.
biceps of arm
Muscle allowing the forearm to flex and to rotate outwardly (palm of the hand toward the front); the biceps contracts while the triceps relaxes.
pectoralis major
Flat muscle enabling various arm movements, such as drawing it near the median axis of the body and rotating it inwardly (toward the median axis); it also aids in inhalation.
trapezius
Large flat triangular muscle enabling many shoulder movements; it also helps to extend the head.
sternocleidomastoid
Powerful muscle enabling the head to flex, to tilt sideways and to rotate.
frontalis
Muscle that creases the skin of the forehead, raises the eyebrows and pulls the scalp forward.
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