Muscle Chart diagrams

BACK

(Posterior View)

1. Trapezius (Upper)

2. Trapezius (Middle)

3. Posterior Deltoid

4. Teres Minor

5. Triceps Brachii (Lateral Head)

6. Rhomboids (Underlying)

7. Triceps Brachii (Long Head)

8. Latissimus Dorsi

9. Erector Spinae

10. Gluteus Medius

11. Gluteus Maximus

12. Gracilis

13. Semitendinosus

14. Biceps Femoris

15. Gastrocnemius

16. Soleus

FRONT

(Anterior View)

17. Sternocleidomastoid

18. Trapezius (Upper)

19. Medial Deltoid

20. Anterior Deltoid

21. Clavicular Pectoralis Major

22. Sternal Pectoralis Major

23. Biceps Brachii

24. Serratus Anterior

25. Rectus Abdominus

26. Internal Oblique

27. Brachioradialis

28. External Oblique

29. Palmaris Longus

30. Pectineus

31. Tensor Fasciae Latae

32. Adductor Longus

33. Rectus Femoris

34. Gracillis

35. Sartorius

36. Vastus Lateralis

37. Vastus Medialis

38. Peroneus Longus

39. Tibialis Anterior

Anatomical Position

To further increase precision, anatomists standardize the way in which they view the body. Just as maps are normally oriented with north at the top, the standard body “map,” or anatomical position, is that of the body standing upright, with the feet at shoulder width and parallel, toes forward. The upper limbs are held out to each side, and the palms of the hands face forward.

A body that is lying down is described as either prone or supine. Prone describes a face-down orientation, and supine describes a face-up orientation. These terms are sometimes used in describing the position of the body during specific physical examinations or surgical procedures.

Directional Terms

These terms are essential for describing the relative locations of different body structures. For instance, an anatomist might describe one band of tissue as “inferior to” another or a physician might describe a tumor as “superficial to” a deeper body structure. Commit these terms to memory to avoid confusion when you are studying or describing the locations of particular body parts.

• Anterior (or ventral) Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body. The toes are anterior to the foot.

• Posterior (or dorsal) Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the patella.

• Superior (or cranial) describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are superior to the oris.

• Inferior (or caudal) describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column). The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.

• Lateral describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits.

• Medial describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe.

• Proximal describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium.

• Distal describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to the femur.

• Superficial describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.

• Deep describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain is deep to the skull.