Upper Body- Muscle Actions

Question 1

What is the action of abductor digiti minimi (hand)

Answer 1

abducts the 5th digit

Question 2

What is the action of trapezius

Answer 2

elevates and depresses the scapula (depending on which part of the muscle contracts); rotates the scapula superiorly; retracts scapula

Question 3

What is the action of palmaris brevis

Answer 3

draws the skin of the ulnar side of the hand toward the center of the palm

Question 4

What is the action of pronator quadratus

Answer 4

pronates the forearm

Question 5

What is the action of extensor indicis

Answer 5

extends the index finger at the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints

Question 6

What is the action of abductor pollicis brevis

Answer 6

abducts thumb

Question 7

What is the action of brachioradialis

Answer 7

flexes the elbow, assists in pronation & supination

Question 8

What is the action of serratus anterior

Answer 8

it draws the scapula forward; the inferior fibers rotate the scapula superiorly

Question 9

What is the action of extensor digitorum

Answer 9

extends the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints of the 2nd-5th digits; extends wrist

Question 10

What is the action of extensor digiti minimi

Answer 10

extends the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints of the 5th digit

Question 11

What is the action of extensor pollicis longus

Answer 11

extends the thumb at the interphalangeal joint

Question 12

What is the action of supraspinatus

Answer 12

abducts the arm

Question 13

What is the action of opponens digiti minimi

Answer 13

opposes the 5th digit

Question 14

What is the action of deltoid

Answer 14

abducts arm; anterior fibers flex & medially rotate the arm; posterior fibers extend & laterally rotate the arm

Question 15

What is the action of pectoralis minor

Answer 15

draws the scapula forward, medialward, and downward

Question 16

What is the action of infraspinatus

Answer 16

laterally rotates the arm

Question 17

What is the action of flexor pollicis brevis

Answer 17

flexes the carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints of the thumb

Question 18

What is the action of brachialis

Answer 18

flexes the forearm

Question 19

What is the action of flexor pollicis longus

Answer 19

flexes the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the thumb

Question 20

What is the action of pectoralis major

Answer 20

flexes and adducts the arm, medially rotates the arm

Question 21

What is the action of rhomboideus major

Answer 21

retracts, elevates and rotates the scapula inferiorly

Question 22

What is the action of supinator

Answer 22

supinates the forearm

Question 23

What is the action of flexor digitorum profundus

Answer 23

flexes the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints

Question 24

What is the action of extensor carpi radialis longus

Answer 24

extends the wrist; abducts the hand

Question 25

What is the action of flexor carpi ulnaris

Answer 25

flexes wrist, adducts hand

Question 26

What is the action of subscapularis

Answer 26

medially rotates the arm; assists extention of the arm

Question 27

What is the action of rhomboideus minor

Answer 27

retracts, elevates and rotates the scapula inferiorly

Question 28

What is the action of flexor digitorum superficialis

Answer 28

flexes the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints

Question 29

What is the action of teres minor

Answer 29

laterally rotates the arm

Question 30

What is the action of palmaris longus

Answer 30

flexes the wrist

Question 31

What is the action of teres major

Answer 31

adducts the arm, medially rotates the arm, assists in arm extension

Question 32

What is the action of abductor pollicis longus

Answer 32

abducts thumb at carpometacarpal joint

Question 33

What is the action of triceps brachii

Answer 33

extends the forearm; the long head extends and adducts arm

Question 34

What is the action of flexor carpi radialis

Answer 34

flexes the wrist, abducts the hand

Question 35

What is the action of pronator teres

Answer 35

pronates the forearm

Question 36

What is the action of biceps brachii

Answer 36

flexes the forearm, flexes arm (long head), supinates

Question 37

What is the action of coracobrachialis

Answer 37

flexes and adducts the arm

Question 38

What is the action of levator scapulae

Answer 38

elevates the scapula

Question 39

What is the action of extensor carpi radialis brevis

Answer 39

extends the wrist; abducts the hand

Question 40

What is the action of extensor carpi ulnaris

Answer 40

extends the wrist; abducts the hand

Question 41

What is the action of anconeus

Answer 41

extends the forearm

Question 42

What is the action of subclavius

Answer 42

draws the clavicle (and hence the shoulder) down and forward

Question 43

What is the action of adductor pollicis

Answer 43

adducts the thumb

Question 44

What is the action of opponens pollicis

Answer 44

opposes the thumb

Question 45

What is the action of extensor pollicis brevis

Answer 45

extends the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint

Question 46

What is the action of latissimus dorsi

Answer 46

extends the arm and rotates the arm medially

Question 47

What is the action of flexor digiti minimi brevis (hand)

Answer 47

flexes the carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints of the 5th digit