All muscles in human body regionally with mnemonics
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Now I have enough from both the library and web sources to compile a thorough regional muscle guide with mnemonics. Let me put together the complete answer.
All Muscles of the Human Body - Regional Guide with Mnemonics
This is organized head-to-toe, region by region, with the key muscles and their best mnemonics.
1. HEAD & NECK
Muscles of Facial Expression (supplied by CN VII)
Key muscles: Frontalis, Orbicularis oculi, Zygomaticus, Buccinator, Orbicularis oris, Mentalis, Platysma
Mnemonic - CN VII branches (temporal to cervical):
"Ten Zebras Bit My Cheek" = Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Mandibular, Cervical
Muscles of Mastication (supplied by CN V3)
Masseter, Temporalis, Medial pterygoid, Lateral pterygoid
Mnemonic:
"My Teeth Munch Lettuce" = Masseter, Temporalis, Medial pterygoid, Lateral pterygoid
- Closers (elevate mandible): Masseter, Temporalis, Medial pterygoid ("All 3 Close")
- Opener (depresses/protrudes): Lateral pterygoid alone
Muscles of the Tongue (intrinsic + extrinsic)
Extrinsic: Genioglossus, Hyoglossus, Styloglossus, Palatoglossus (all CN XII except palatoglossus = CN X)
Mnemonic:
"Some Hairy Gorillas Play" = Styloglossus, Hyoglossus, Genioglossus, Palatoglossus
Suprahyoid Muscles
Digastric, Mylohyoid, Geniohyoid, Stylohyoid
Mnemonic:
"Down My Gut Sideways" = Digastric, Mylohyoid, Geniohyoid, Stylohyoid
Infrahyoid Muscles ("Strap muscles")
Sternohyoid, Sternothyroid, Thyrohyoid, Omohyoid
Mnemonic:
"Some Say The Opera" = Sternohyoid, Sternothyroid, Thyrohyoid, Omohyoid
Prevertebral Neck Muscles
Longus colli, Longus capitis, Rectus capitis anterior, Rectus capitis lateralis
2. BACK (VERTEBRAL COLUMN)
Superficial Back Muscles (extrinsic - move upper limb)
Trapezius, Latissimus dorsi, Levator scapulae, Rhomboid major, Rhomboid minor
Mnemonic:
"Trap Laid Low, Run Right Man" = Trapezius, Latissimus dorsi, Levator scapulae, Rhomboid minor/major
Intermediate Back Muscles
Serratus posterior superior, Serratus posterior inferior
Deep (Intrinsic) Back Muscles - 3 layers
Superficial layer (Spinotransversales): Splenius capitis, Splenius cervicis
Intermediate layer (Erector Spinae - lateral to medial):
Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis
Mnemonic:
"I Love Sex" = Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis (lateral to medial)
Deep layer (Transversospinales): Semispinalis, Multifidus, Rotatores
Mnemonic:
"Some Men Relax" = Semispinalis, Multifidus, Rotatores
Deepest layer: Interspinales, Intertransversarii, Levatores costarum
3. THORAX
Muscles of the Thoracic Wall
External intercostals, Internal intercostals, Innermost intercostals, Transversus thoracis, Subcostals
Mnemonic (intercostal layers, outside to inside):
"External, Internal, Innermost" - or "Eve Is In"
Diaphragm
Central tendon + peripheral muscular part. Pierced by 3 structures:
Mnemonic - openings and vertebral levels:
"I 8 (ate) 10 eggs At 12"
- Inferior vena cava - T8
- Esophagus - T10
- Aorta - T12
4. ABDOMEN
Anterior Abdominal Wall (lateral to medial/superficial to deep)
External oblique, Internal oblique, Transversus abdominis, Rectus abdominis, Pyramidalis
Mnemonic (3 flat muscles):
"Every I True" = External oblique, Internal oblique, Transversus abdominis
Or for fiber direction: "EI - fingers point down/up/across like hands in pockets"
- External oblique: fingers point inferiomedially ("hands in front pockets")
- Internal oblique: fibers perpendicular ("hands in back pockets")
- Transversus: horizontal fibers
Posterior Abdominal Wall
Psoas major, Psoas minor, Iliacus, Quadratus lumborum, Piriformis (partly)
5. PELVIS & PERINEUM
Muscles of the Pelvic Floor (Pelvic Diaphragm)
Levator ani (pubococcygeus, puborectalis, iliococcygeus), Coccygeus (ischiococcygeus)
Mnemonic:
"Please Call In Candy" = Pubococcygeus, Coccygeus, Iliococcygeus, (Coccygeus)
Perineal Muscles
- Urogenital triangle: Superficial transverse perineal, Bulbospongiosus, Ischiocavernosus, Deep transverse perineal, External urethral sphincter
- Anal triangle: External anal sphincter
Mnemonic (urogenital triangle):
"Super Bulls In Deep End" = Superficial transverse perineal, Bulbospongiosus, Ischiocavernosus, Deep transverse perineal, External urethral sphincter
6. SHOULDER REGION
Rotator Cuff (4 muscles)
Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis
Mnemonic:
"SITS" = Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis "The humerus SITS in the glenoid fossa"
- Supraspinatus: abduction (first 15°)
- Infraspinatus + Teres minor: lateral rotation
- Subscapularis: medial rotation
Muscles Acting on the Scapula
Trapezius, Serratus anterior, Rhomboids, Levator scapulae, Pectoralis minor
Mnemonic for scapular stabilizers:
"Trap Ser Rhomb Lev Pect" - or remember by action:
- Upward rotators: Trapezius (upper + lower), Serratus anterior
- Downward rotators: Rhomboids, Levator scapulae, Pectoralis minor
7. ARM (UPPER ARM)
Anterior Compartment (flexors - musculocutaneous nerve)
Biceps brachii, Brachialis, Coracobrachialis
Mnemonic:
"3 Bs Bend the elbow" = Biceps, Brachialis, (Brachioradialis - though radial nerve)
Posterior Compartment (extensors - radial nerve)
Triceps brachii (long, lateral, medial heads), Anconeus
8. FOREARM
Anterior (Flexor) Compartment
Superficial layer (5 muscles) - all from medial epicondyle:
Pronator teres, Flexor carpi radialis, Palmaris longus, Flexor carpi ulnaris, Flexor digitorum superficialis
Mnemonic:
"Please Feed Pretty Female Cats" = Pronator teres, Flexor carpi radialis, Palmaris longus, Flexor carpi ulnaris (wait - reversed order), FDS
Better mnemonic (lateral to medial):
"Puffy Fat People Frequently Forget" = Pronator teres, FCR, Palmaris longus, FCU, FDS
Intermediate layer (1 muscle):
Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS)
Deep layer (3 muscles):
Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), Flexor pollicis longus (FPL), Pronator quadratus (PQ)
Mnemonic:
"Police Fight Professors" = Pronator quadratus, FDP, FPL
Posterior (Extensor) Compartment
Superficial layer (from lateral epicondyle):
Brachioradialis, Extensor carpi radialis longus, Extensor carpi radialis brevis, Extensor digitorum, Extensor digiti minimi, Extensor carpi ulnaris
Mnemonic:
"Cats Run Circles Under Dogs Stomachs" = (lateral to medial) Brachioradialis, ECRL, ECRB, Extensor digitorum, Extensor digiti minimi, ECU
Deep layer:
Supinator, Abductor pollicis longus, Extensor pollicis brevis, Extensor pollicis longus, Extensor indicis
Mnemonic - "Anatomical snuffbox" tendons:
"APE" = Abductor pollicis longus, Extensor pollicis brevis (anterior border), Extensor pollicis longus (posterior border)
9. HAND (INTRINSIC MUSCLES)
Thenar Muscles (thumb - median nerve)
Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis, Opponens pollicis, Adductor pollicis (ulnar nerve)
Mnemonic:
"A FOE" = Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis, Opponens pollicis, (Adductor - ulnar)
Hypothenar Muscles (little finger - ulnar nerve)
Abductor digiti minimi, Flexor digiti minimi, Opponens digiti minimi
Mnemonic:
"AFO" = Abductor digiti minimi, Flexor digiti minimi, Opponens digiti minimi
Lumbricals (4)
Arise from FDP tendons; flex MCP, extend IP joints
- Lumbricals 1 & 2: median nerve
- Lumbricals 3 & 4: ulnar nerve
Interossei
- Palmar interossei (3 - PAD): ADduct fingers toward middle finger
- Dorsal interossei (4 - DAB): ABduct fingers away from middle finger
Mnemonic:
"PAD DAB" = Palmar = ADduction, Dorsal = ABduction
Median Nerve Intrinsic Muscles of the Hand:
"LOAF" = Lumbricals 1 & 2, Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis
10. GLUTEAL REGION
Gluteal Muscles
Gluteus maximus, Gluteus medius, Gluteus minimus, Tensor fasciae latae (TFL)
- Gluteus maximus: extension + lateral rotation (inferior gluteal nerve)
- Gluteus medius + minimus: abduction + medial rotation (superior gluteal nerve)
Deep Lateral Rotators (6 muscles)
Piriformis, Obturator internus, Obturator externus, Superior gemellus, Inferior gemellus, Quadratus femoris
Mnemonic:
"Please Go Outside So I Quit" = Piriformis, Gemellus superior, Obturator internus, Gemellus inferior, Obturator externus, Quadratus femoris (superior to inferior order)
Or: "P-GOGO-Q" (Piriformis, Gemellus sup, Obturator int, Gemellus inf, Obturator ext, Quadratus femoris)
11. THIGH
Anterior Compartment (femoral nerve - flex hip, extend knee)
Sartorius, Quadriceps femoris (Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus medialis, Vastus intermedius), Pectineus, Iliopsoas
Mnemonic - Quadriceps:
"Real Victorians Like Intimacy" = Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus medialis, Vastus intermedius
Mnemonic - Sartorius actions (tailor's muscle):
"A tailor Sits cross-legged" = Sit = flex, abduct, laterally rotate hip + flex knee
Medial Compartment (obturator nerve - adductors)
Adductor longus, Adductor brevis, Adductor magnus, Gracilis, Obturator externus, Pectineus
Mnemonic:
"All Boys Get Good Partners" = Adductor longus, Adductor brevis, Gracilis, Obturator externus, Pectineus (+ magnus)
Posterior Compartment - Hamstrings (tibial division of sciatic nerve)
Biceps femoris (long + short head), Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus
Mnemonic:
"Be So Smart" = Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus
Or remember: BiSS (Biceps, Semiten, Semimem)
- Short head of biceps femoris = common peroneal nerve (exception!)
Pes Anserinus (3 tendons inserting on medial tibia):
"Say Grace before Tea" = Sartorius, Gracilis, Semitendinosus (anterior to posterior)
12. LEG (BELOW KNEE)
Anterior Compartment (deep peroneal nerve - dorsiflex + extend toes)
Tibialis anterior, Extensor hallucis longus, Extensor digitorum longus, Fibularis (Peroneus) tertius
Mnemonic:
"Tom, Harry, And Never Die Poor" or "Those Hospitals Are Not Dirty Places" = Tibialis anterior, Extensor hallucis longus, Extensor digitorum longus, Peroneus tertius
Or simpler: "TEHP" = Tibialis anterior, EHL, EDL, Peroneus tertius
Lateral Compartment (superficial peroneal nerve - evert foot)
Fibularis (Peroneus) longus, Fibularis (Peroneus) brevis
Mnemonic: "2 Ps" - both evert and plantarflex
Posterior Compartment - Superficial (tibial nerve - plantarflex)
Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Plantaris
Mnemonic:
"Good Soleus Planter" = Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Plantaris
- Gastrocnemius + Soleus = Triceps surae (insert via Achilles tendon)
Posterior Compartment - Deep (tibial nerve)
Popliteus, Tibialis posterior, Flexor digitorum longus, Flexor hallucis longus
Mnemonic:
"Tom, Dick, And Harry" (medial to lateral at ankle - posterior to medial malleolus):
"Tom, Dick, And Very Nervous Harry" T = Tibialis posterior (tendon) D = flexor Digitorum longus A = Artery (posterior tibial) V = Vein (posterior tibial) N = Nerve (tibial nerve) H = flexor Hallucis longus
13. FOOT (INTRINSIC MUSCLES)
Dorsum of Foot
Extensor digitorum brevis (EDB), Extensor hallucis brevis (EHB) - deep peroneal nerve
Plantar Surface (4 layers, deep to superficial):
Layer 1 (most superficial):
Abductor hallucis, Flexor digitorum brevis, Abductor digiti minimi
Mnemonic:
"A Friendly Abductor" = Abductor hallucis, Flexor digitorum brevis, Abductor digiti minimi
Layer 2:
Quadratus plantae, Lumbricals (4)
Layer 3:
Flexor hallucis brevis, Adductor hallucis, Flexor digiti minimi brevis
Layer 4 (deepest):
Plantar interossei (3 - PAD), Dorsal interossei (4 - DAB)
Plantar layers mnemonic:
"1-2-3-4 = 1 set, 2 bones, 3 muscles, 4 more" (Layer 1 = 3 muscles; Layer 2 = 2; Layer 3 = 3; Layer 4 = 7 interossei)
16. QUICK MASTER SUMMARY TABLE
| Region | Key Mnemonic | Muscles |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff | SITS | Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis |
| Forearm flexors (superficial) | "Please Feed Pretty Female Cats" | PT, FCR, PL, FCU, FDS |
| Intrinsic hand (median) | LOAF | Lumbricals 1&2, Opponens, Abductor pollicis, Flexor pollicis |
| Interossei | PAD DAB | Palmar=Adduct, Dorsal=Abduct |
| Erector spinae | "I Love Sex" | Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis |
| Transversospinales | "Some Men Relax" | Semispinalis, Multifidus, Rotatores |
| Deep lateral rotators | "P-GOGO-Q" | Piriformis, Gem sup, Ob int, Gem inf, Ob ext, Quad fem |
| Hamstrings | BiSS | Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus |
| Pes anserinus | "Say Grace before Tea" | Sartorius, Gracilis, Semitendinosus |
| Posterior leg deep | "Tom Dick And Very Nervous Harry" | Tibialis post, FDL, Artery, Vein, Nerve, FHL |
| Anterior leg | "TEHP" | Tibialis ant, EHL, EDL, Peroneus tertius |
| CN VII branches | "Ten Zebras Bit My Cheek" | Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Mandibular, Cervical |
| Muscles of mastication | "My Teeth Munch Lettuce" | Masseter, Temporalis, Medial pterygoid, Lateral pterygoid |
| Diaphragm openings | "I 8 10 eggs At 12" | IVC-T8, Esophagus-T10, Aorta-T12 |
| Thenar (median) | "A FOE" | Abductor, Flexor, Opponens, (Adductor-ulnar) |
Key High-Yield Nerve Supply Reminders
- Radial nerve: all extensors (posterior compartment arm + forearm) + brachioradialis
- Median nerve: most forearm flexors + thenar muscles + LOAF in hand
- Ulnar nerve: FCU, medial half FDP, all hypothenar, all interossei, adductor pollicis, lumbricals 3 & 4
- Femoral nerve: anterior thigh (quads + sartorius + pectineus + iliopsoas)
- Obturator nerve: medial thigh adductors
- Tibial nerve: posterior leg + plantar foot
- Common peroneal (fibular) nerve: anterior + lateral leg
Sources: Gray's Anatomy for Students; THIEME Atlas of General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System; Wikipedia List of Anatomy Mnemonics
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