Muscles of the Human Body

Skeletal (voluntary) muscles are positioned between two bones and cause movement of one of these bones by contracting and shortening. This is known as a concentric contraction. The other bone will by stabilised, either by its nature (such as the rib cage or sternum) or by another muscle (such as the deltoid stabilising the humerus). Skeletal muscles can also produce eccentric contractions, where the muscle lengthens under tension to control a movement. Other types of muscle are smooth (or involuntary) muscles which are found in the walls of organs such as the stomach, or cardiac muscle, which is found in the heart walls.

Here is a list of the major skeletal muscles within the upper limb, lower limb and trunk of the human body. Each muscle has its own page with an illustration, attachment points, movements, nerve supply, and daily uses.

Shoulder Girdle

Deltoid

Elbow Joint

Wrist and Hand

Hip and Pelvic Girdle

The Knee Joint

The Foot and Ankle

The Trunk