Major Muscle Groups & Actions
Start with the big picture
The lesson organizes muscles by region and links each group to its principal actions. In the shoulder and upper limb, it covers deltoid and rotator cuff contributions to shoulder movement and stability, elbow actions of the biceps and triceps, and wrist, finger, and thumb movements. Trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and pectoralis major illustrate scapular and arm actions. The lower-limb section includes hip flexors, extensors, abductors, and adductors, as well as muscles that move the knee and ankle. Selected clinical connections help put these actions in context, such as the deltoid’s role in abduction and foot-drop associated with a deep peroneal nerve lesion.
What you'll learn
- Describe the primary actions of the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles.
- Distinguish the actions of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii.
- Summarize the movements produced by forearm compartments and thenar muscles.
- Relate major hip and lower-limb muscle groups to their actions.
- Identify selected clinical connections between muscle actions and nerve injury.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
