UE Muscle Actions

Question 1

What is the action of the Trapezius muscle?

Answer 1

elevates and depresses the shoulder (shrugging)
Retracts the scapula

Question 2

What is the action of the Latissimus Dorsi muscle?

Answer 2

adducts, extends and medially rotates the humerus

Question 3

What is the action of the Levator Scapulae muscle?

Answer 3

elevates the scapula

Question 4

What is the action of the Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles?

Answer 4

retracts the scapula

Question 5

What is the action of the Serratus Posterior Superior?

Answer 5

Elevates the ribs in inspiration

Question 6

What is the action of the Serratus Posterior Inferior muscle?

Answer 6

Depresses the ribs in expiration

Question 7

What is the action of the Splenius Capitus muscle?

Answer 7

Extends the neck and head
Rotate in unilateral direction

Question 8

What is the action of the Erector Spinae (Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis) muscles?

Answer 8

Extends the trunk and vertebral column

Question 9

What is the action of the Semi Spinalis muscle?

Answer 9

Extends the trunks in bilateral action and rotates the vertebral column in unilateral action

Question 10

What is the action of the Deltoid muscle?

Answer 10

Abduction of shoulder
Helps in flexion, adduction, medial rotation of shoulder

Question 11

What is the action of the Supraspinatus muscle?

Answer 11

Initiates abduction of the shoulder joint to the first 15 degrees

Question 12

What is the action of the Infraspinatus muscle?

Answer 12

Lateral rotation of the shoulder

Question 13

What is the action of the Teres Minor Muscle?

Answer 13

Lateral rotation of the humerus
Abduction of the shoulder

Question 14

What is the action of the Teres Major muscle?

Answer 14

Medial rotation and adduction of the humerus

Question 15

What is the action of the Subscapularis muscle?

Answer 15

Medially rotates the humerus

Question 16

What is the action of the Triceps Brachii (long head, lateral head, medial head) muscle?

Answer 16

Extends the elbow

Question 17

What is the action of the Anconeus muscle?

Answer 17

Assists the triceps in extending the elbow

Question 18

What is the action of the Brachioradialis muscle?

Answer 18

Flexes the elbow joint and acts best in mid-prone position

Question 19

What is the action of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus muscle?

Answer 19

Extends and abducts the wrist
Radial deviation
Weak elbow flexor

Question 20

What is the action of the Extensor Digitorum muscle?

Answer 20

Extends the digits (metacarpophalangeal, proximal, and distal interphalangeal joints)
Helps extend the wrist

Question 21

What is the action of the Extensor Digiti Minimi?

Answer 21

Extends the little finger

Question 22

What is the action of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris?

Answer 22

Extends and adducts the wrist

Question 23

What is the action of the Supinator muscle?

Answer 23

Acts as a supinator in an extended elbow

Question 24

What is the action of the Abductor Pollicis Longus muscle?

Answer 24

Abducts and extends the thumb

Question 25

What is the action of the Extensor Pollicis Brevis muscle?

Answer 25

Extends proximal phalanx of the thumb

Question 26

What is the action of the Extensor Pollicis Longus muscle?

Answer 26

Extends the distal phalanx of the thumb

Question 27

What is the action of the Extensor Indicis muscle?

Answer 27

Extends the index finger

Question 28

What is the action of the Pectoralis Major muscle?

Answer 28

Flexion, medial rotation, and adduction of the shoulder

Question 29

What is the action of the Pectoralis Minor muscle?

Answer 29

Protracts the scapula along with the serratus anterior

Question 30

What is the action of the serratus anterior muscle?

Answer 30

Protracts the scapula

Question 31

What is the action of the Biceps Brachii muscle?

Answer 31

Powerful supinator of the forearm and flexor of the elbow

Question 32

What is the action of the Coracobrachialis muscle?

Answer 32

Weak flexor of the shoulder

Question 33

What is the action of the Brachialis muscle?

Answer 33

Flexor of the elbow

Question 34

What is the action of the Pronator Teres muscle?

Answer 34

Pronator of the forearm and weak flexor of the elbow

Question 35

What is the action of the Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle?

Answer 35

Flexor of the wrist abducts the wrist

Question 36

What is the action of the Palmaris Longus muscle?

Answer 36

Weak flexor of the wrist

Question 37

What is the action of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris muscle?

Answer 37

Flexor and adductor of the wrist

Question 38

What is the action of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis muscle?

Answer 38

Flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joints

Question 39

What is the action of the Flexor Pollicis Longus muscle?

Answer 39

Flexor of the thumb

Question 40

What is the action of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus muscle?

Answer 40

Flexor of the distal interphalangeal joints helps in wrist flexion

Question 41

What is the action of the Pronator Quadratus muscle?

Answer 41

Principle pronator

Question 42

Wha is the action of the Palmaris Brevis muscle?

Answer 42

Improves the grip by steadying the skin on the ulnar side

Question 43

What is the action of the Lumbricals (1-4) muscles?

Answer 43

Flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joints and extension of the interphalangeal joints

Question 44

What is the action of the Palmar and Dorsal Interossei?

Answer 44

Adductors (Palmar - PAD) and abductors (Dorsal - DAB) of the fingers