06/12/2025
Superficial Muscles of the Upper Body 📖🔍
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
▪️ Understanding the superficial muscles of the upper body is essential for any medical and sports professional.
▪️ These muscles lie close to the skin and are responsible for major movements of the shoulders, arms, chest, and back.
▪️ They also play a vital role in posture, stabilization, and functional performance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Trapezius :
- Location : Upper back and neck .
- Function : Elevates, depresses, retracts, and rotates the scapula; helps extend the neck.
- Note : Crucial for posture and scapular stabilization.
---------------------------
2) Latissimus Dorsi :
- Location : Mid to lower back, extending to the upper arm
- Function : Extends, adducts, and internally rotates the arm; supports pulling movements.
- Note : Known as the “lats,” important for pulling strength.
---------------------------
3) Pectoralis Major :
- Location : Front of the chest .
- Function : Flexes, adducts, and internally rotates the arm.
- Note : Main pushing muscle of the chest.
----------------------------
4) Deltoid :
- Location : Shoulder .
- Function : Abducts the arm; anterior fibers flex and internally rotate; posterior fibers extend and externally rotate.
- Note : Gives the shoulder its rounded shape.
----------------------------
5) Biceps Brachii :
- Location : Front of the upper arm .
- Function : Flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm.
- Note : Frequently trained in upper body workouts.
----------------------------
6) Triceps Brachii :
- Location : Back of the upper arm .
- Function : Extends the elbow joint; assists in shoulder extension.
- Note : The main opposing muscle to the biceps; essential for pushing movements .
-----------------------------
7) Brachialis :
- Location : Deep to the biceps brachii .
- Function : Primary flexor of the elbow joint.
- Note : Important for arm strength.
------------------------------
8 ) Brachioradialis :
- Location : Lateral side of the forearm .
- Function : Flexes the elbow, especially in a neutral grip ( when your palm is facing inward (like a handshake position).
- Note : Supports grip and forearm stability.
--------------------------------
9) Flexor & Extensor Muscles of the Forearm :
- Location : Anterior and posterior compartments of the forearm.
- Function : Control wrist and finger movements, including flexion, extension, pronation, and supination.
- Note : Essential for grip strength, functional hand use, and wrist stability.
--------------------------------
10) Serratus Anterior :
- Location : Lateral chest wall, attached to ribs .
- Function : Protracts and stabilizes the scapula against the rib cage.
- Note : Known as the “boxer’s muscle.”
----------------------------------