Muscle Notes Origin Insertion Movement +

Function
Nerve Supply Root
Shoulder joint Supraspinatus Rotator
cuff
muscles
Supraspinous fossa - scapula Superior greater
tuberosity humerus
Initiates abduction Suprascapular C4,5,6
Infraspinatus Infraspinous fossa - scapula Posterior greater
tuberosity humerus
Laterally rotate
humerus
Suprascapular C5,6
Teres minor Lateral border - scapula Axillary (posterior cord
brachial plexus)
C5,6
Subscapularis Subscapular fossa - scapula Anterior lesser
tuberosity humerus
Medially rotate
humerus
Upper + lower
subscapular
C5,6,7
Deltoid Clavicle, acromion + spine of
scapula
Deltoid Tuberosity -
Mid lateral humerus
Ant: Flex, Med
Rot. Middle:
Abducts
Axillary (posterior cord
brachial plexus)
C5,6
Pectoralis major Medial half of clavicle, Sternum,
Upper 6 costal cartilages
Lateral border of
bicipital groove,
crest of greater
tubercle
Flexes, adducts +
medially rotates
arm
Pectoral (medial +
lateral cords brachial
plexus)
C8, T1/
C5,6,7
Pectoralis Minor 3-5th ribs Coracoid process Scapula forward
and downward
Pectoral (medial +
lateral cords brachial
plexus)
C8, T1/
C5,6,7
Latissimus dorsi Spines of T6-12, Iliac crest, lumbar
fascia, lower 4 ribs + inferior angle
of scapula
Floor bicipital
groove
Adducts +
medially rotates
arm, extends
shoulder
Thoracodorsal
(posterior cord brachial
plexus)
C6,7,8
Teres major Inferior angle of scapula Posteromedial lip
intertubercular
groove
Adducts +
medially rotates
arm, extends
shoulder
Lower subscapular
(posterior branch
brachial cord)
C5,6
Serratus anterior Latera aspect thoracic cage (1st 8
ribs)
Medial border +
sup.+inf. Angles of
scapula
Protract + rotate
glenoid for
abduction
Long thoracic C5,6,7
Trapezius Superior nuchal line skull down to
12th thoracic vertebra
Scapular spine,
acromion +
posterior lateral 1/3
clavicle
Shrugs + braces
shoulders +
rotates scapula
Accessory C1-5
Anterior aspect
upper arm
Biceps Scapula: Long head - supraglenoid
tubercle Short head - coracoid
process
Radial tuberosity,
bicipital
aponeurosis
Flexes elbow +
supinates. Weak
shoulder flexor
Musculocutaneous C5,6
Brachialis Distal half anterior surface humerus Coronoid process +
ulnar tuberosity
Flexes elbow Musculocutaneous C5,6
Coracobrachialis Coracoid process Mid medial surface
of humerus
Adducts + flexes
shoulder
Musculocutaneous C5,6,7
Posterior
aspect upper
arm
Triceps Long head - infraglenoid tubercle
scapula Medial head - medial
posterior humerus inferior to radial
groove (deepest head) Lateral head
- lateral posterior humerus superior
to radial groove
Olecranon process
of ulna
Extends elbow Radial C7,8
Anterior aspect
forearm
(Flexors wrist)
Flexor carpi
radialis
Radial
aspect
forearm
CFO Base 2nd + 3rd
metacarpals
Flexes wrist +
radially deviates/
abducts
Median C6,7
Flexor carpi
ulnaris
Ulnar
aspect
forearm
CFO + olecranon + medial border
ulna
Base 5th
metacarpal via
pisifirom + Hook of
hamate
(pisohamate and
pisometacarpal ligs)
Flexes wrist +
ulnar deviation/
adducts
Ulnar C8, T1
Palmaris longus CFO Palmar aponeurosis
+ Flexor
Retinaculum
Assists wrist
flexion
Median C7,8
Pronator teres CFO + coronoid process ulna Maximal convexity
radius
Pronates + flexes
forearm
Median C6,7
Flexor digitorum
superficialis
Humero-ulnar head - CFO +
Coronoid process + ulnar collateral
ligament. Radial head - upper
radius anterior
Proximal end 2nd-
5th middle
phalanges -
tendons split 2
allow tendon of
FDP through
Strong flexor of
wrist and fingers
(not distal IP
joint). Weak
elbow flexor
Median C7,8 T1
Flexor digitorum
profundus
Proximal 3/4 medial + anterior
surfaces ulna, radius + interosseous
membrane
Proximal end 2nd-
5th distal phalanges
Flexes distal
interphalangeal
joint. Also flexes
proximal IP, MCP
and wrist
Anterior interosseous
branch median - apart
from little + ring
supplied by ulnar
C8 T1
Flexor pollicis
longus
Anterior surface radius +
interosseous membrane
Base distal phalanx
thumb
Flexes
interphalangeal
joint of thumb
Anterior interosseous
branch median
C8 T1
Pronator
quadratus
Superior
to wrist
Distal 1/4 anterior surface ulna Distal 1/4 anterior
surface radius
Pronates forearm Anterior interosseous
branch median

Posterior
aspect forearm
(Extensors
wrist)
Brachioradialis Lateral supracondylar ridge Styloid process
radius
Flexes elbow with
forearm in mid-
prone position
Radial C5,6,7
Anconeus CEO Lateral surface
olecranon +
proximal posterior
ulna
Steadies ulna
during pronation
Radial C7,8 T1
Supinator From
ulna,
wraps
round
upper
radius
CEO, radial ligaments, supinator
fossa + crest ulna
Proximal lateral
radius
Supinates
forearm
Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C5,6
Extensor carpi
radialis longus
Lateral supracondylar ridge
humerus
Base 2nd
metacarpal
Extends wrist,
radial deviation
Radial C6,7
Extensor carpi
radialis brevis
CEO Base 3rd
metacarpal
Extends wrist,
radial deviation
Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C7,8
Extensor carpi
ulnaris
CEO Base 5th
metacarpal
Extends wrist Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C7,8
Extensor
digitorum
CEO Dorsal Extensor
expansion 2nd-5th
fingers.
Extends 2nd-5th
fingers (middle
phalanx)
Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C6, C8
Extensor digiti
minimi
CEO Medial aspect,
dorsal expansion
little finger
Extends 5th finger Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C7,8
Extensor indicis Posterior distal ulna + interosseous
membrane
Extensor expansion
2nd finger
Extends 2nd
finger
Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C7,8
Extensor pollicis
longus
Tendon
on dorsal
side snuff
box
Posterior middle 1/3 ulna +
interosseous membrane
Base distal phalanx
thumb
Extends thumb Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C7,8
Extensor pollicis
brevis
Tendons
on palmar
side snuff
box
Posterior distal radius +
interosseous membrane
Base proximal
phalanx thumb
Extends thumb Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C7,8
Abductor pollicis
longus
Posterior proximal ulna, radius +
interosseous membrane
1st metacarpal Abducts thumb Posterior interosseous
branch radial
C7,8