Upper Limb & Shoulder
This three-headed muscle is the only muscle located on the posterior arm.
What is the Triceps brachii (or Triceps)
This is the only muscle of the four quadriceps that crosses two joints (the hip and the knee).
What is the rectus femoris?
This dome-shaped muscle is the primary muscle of respiration; its involuntary contraction produces hiccups.
What is the diaphragm?
In anatomical and palpation terms, this directional term describes a structure situated further away from the midline of the body.
What is lateral?
This anterior arm flexor originates with two heads (supraglenoid tubercle and coracoid process) and inserts onto the radial tuberosity.
What is the biceps brachii?
The three bones that articulate to form the shoulder complex are the clavicle, the scapula, and this long arm bone
What is the humerus?
Situated on the lateral thigh deep to the iliotibial (IT) tract, it is the sole quadriceps muscle on the outer thigh.
What is the vastus lateralis?
Contracting this superficial abdominal muscle flexes the vertebral column and produces the classic "washboard" appearance.
What is the rectus abdominis?
This dense tissue type is characterized as a broad, flat sheet of tendon that attaches muscle to bone or fascia.
What is an aponeurosis?
This expansive back muscle extends from the spinous processes of T7-L5, thoracolumbar aponeurosis, and iliac crest to insert into the intertubercular groove of the humerus.
What is the latissimus dorsi?
When contracting across the chest, this large muscle serves as the primary agonist for horizontal adduction of the arm.
What is the pectoralis major?
Of all the gluteal muscles, this one is the most posterior and superficial, acting as the prime hip extensor.
What is the gluteus maximus?
Unilateral contraction of this prominent two-headed neck muscle laterally flexes the neck to the same side and rotates the head to the opposite side.
What is the sternocleidomastoid (SCM)?
A small, fluid-filled sac situated around joints to reduce friction between tendons, ligaments, and bones.
What is a bursa?
This massive fan-shaped muscle of the inner medial thigh features both an adductor portion and a hamstring portion.
What is the adductor magnus?
Working alongside the anterior deltoid and biceps brachii to flex the shoulder, all fibers of this muscle perform shoulder abduction.
What is the deltoid?
This posterior thigh muscle group is situated anatomically right between the vastus lateralis and adductor magnus.
What are the hamstrings (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus)?
Spanning between the posterior iliac crest and the 12th rib/L1-L4 transverse processes, this muscle laterally flexes the spine and hikes the hip.
What is the quadratus lumborum (QL)?
A band or transverse thickening of deep fascia that straps down and stabilizes tendons at the wrist or ankle.
What is a retinaculum?
Originating from the ASIS, this longest muscle in the human body crosses both the hip and knee to insert at the pes anserinus.
What is the sartorius?
Running along the lateral forearm, this muscle creates a distinct palpable dividing line between forearm flexors and forearm extensors
What is the brachioradialis?
Originating on the femoral condyles and crossing two joints, this superficial calf muscle flexes the knee and plantarflexes the ankle.
What is the gastrocnemius?
The brachial plexus and subclavian artery pass directly through the narrow interscalene triangle formed between these two neck muscles.
What are the anterior and middle scalenes?
To properly outline the shape or edge of a bone during manual palpation, your fingers should move in this direction across the structure.
What is across (or perpendicular)?
Deep to the trapezius and rhomboids, this flat diagonal neck muscle originates from the lower cervical/upper thoracic vertebrae and inserts into the mastoid process.
What is the splenius capitis?