Muscle names sound hard, but most of them describe the muscle. Once you can read the name, you can often guess where it is.
What the names describe
| Named for | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | deltoid, trapezius | triangle, trapezoid |
| Size | gluteus maximus, latissimus | largest, widest |
| Number of heads | biceps, triceps, quadriceps | two, three, four |
| Location | tibialis anterior, rectus abdominis | front of the tibia, abdomen |
| Direction of fibers | rectus, obliques | straight, angled |
| Attachments | sterno-cleido-mastoid | sternum, clavicle, mastoid |
Muscles work in pairs
A muscle can only pull, so most come in opposing pairs:
- Biceps bends the elbow; triceps straightens it.
- Hamstrings bend the knee; quadriceps straighten it.
Front and back
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| pectoralis major (chest) | trapezius (upper back) |
| rectus abdominis, obliques | latissimus dorsi (middle back) |
| quadriceps (thigh) | gluteus maximus, hamstrings |
| tibialis anterior (shin) | gastrocnemius, soleus (calf) |
Tendons and ligaments
A tendon joins muscle to bone; a ligament joins bone to bone. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the calcaneus, the heel bone from the last deck.
Education only, not medical advice.