MUSCLES OF THE TORSO

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Sternocleido mastoid

Either side of neck from temporal bone to clavicle and sternum

Used together nods the head

Used in opposition turn head to the side

Platysma

Front of neck from chin to chest

Draws jaw and lower lip downwards

Pectoralis major

Covers upper part of chest

Adducts and medially rotates the arm

Pectoralis minor

Small muscle beneath the pectoralis major

Draws shoulder downwards and also forwards

Serratus anterior

Sides of ribcage below the armpits

Draws scapula forward as in pushing movements

Rectus abdominus

Superficial muscles that extend the whole length of the abdomen

Supports internal organs and flexes the spine (bending forward)

Internal obliques

Found laterally on the anterior of the abdomen beneath external obliques

Twists trunk to opposite side

External obliques

Superficial muscles found laterally from side of waist to anterior abdomen

Twists trunk to opposite side

External intercostals

Between the ribs

Raises the ribcage upwards and forwards

Muscles of Respiration

Internal intercostals External intercostals Diaphragm

Internal intercostals

Between the ribs under the external intercostals

Bring the ribs downwards and in.

Diaphragm

Attached around bottom of ribcage

Pulls downwards

Trapezius

Kite shaped muscle across the top of the back and neck

Lifts the clavicle as in shrugging and also draws the head backwards

Rhomboids

Deep to the trapezius

Draws the scapula back

Latissimus dorsi

Back of lower thorax in lumbar region

Draws the arm back and inwards towards the body. Helps pull body upwards when climbing

Erector spinae

Three groups of muscles on either side of the vertebrae

Extends the spine and holds the body upright

Gluteus maximus

Superficial muscle which forms the buttocks

Extends the hip and rotates thigh laterally

Used in running and jumping

Gluteus medius

Lateral part of buttocks, deep to gluteus maximus

Abducts and medially rotates the thigh. Used in walking and running

Gluteus minimus

Lateral area of buttocks beneath gluteus medius

Abducts and rotates the thigh. Used in walking and running