MUSCLES > FRONT ANATOMY
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Abdominals (primary stomach muscles) are really a single muscle, the rectus abdominis, a long, powerful, segmented muscle that works to pull the torso or upper body toward the lower body when sitting up from a lying down position. The "abs" originate from the fifth, sixth, and seventh ribs and run up and down the abdominal wall.
Biceps is the muscle that works to flex or bend the arm. It originates from the shoulder blade and terminates at the elbow.
Pectoralis Major, also referred to as the pectorals or "pecs," are the chest muscles used in all upper arm movement.
Quadriceps (front thigh) muscle does the work of extending your leg from the bent position. It is composed of four muscles: the rectus femoris and three vasti mucles. All four muscles come together at the kneecap.
Triceps is the muscle that works to extend the arm and the forearm. It attaches in three places, at the shoulder blade, the back side of the upper arm, and the elbow.
MUSCLES > BACK ANATOMY
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Deltoid (shoulder) muscle works to raise the arm to shoulder height once the motion has been initiated by other muscles. It also assists in rotating, flexing, and extending the arm.
Gastrocnemius helps to bend the knee and flex the foot downward. It connects in the middle of the lower leg and ties in with the Achilles tendon.
Gluteus Maximus, which gives the buttocks its shape, is properly named, for it is usually the largest muscle in the body. It functions to rotate and extend the thigh. It is located behind the hip joint.
Gluteus Medius is located just beneath the gluteus maximus. It functions to raise the leg out to the side and to balance the hips as weight is transfered from one foot to the other.
Gluteus Minimus originates on the hipbone, and performs the same function as the gluteus medius.
Hamstrings (back thigh) help to extend the hips, rotate the leg, and flex the knee.
Latissimus Dorsi are the large muscles that lend the back its "V" shape--its width. Well-developed "lats" help a woman's waist to appear small and minimize larger hips.
Soleus functions to flex the foot downward, but it does not help to bend the knee, since it doesn't cross the knee joint. It is located directly beneath the gastrocnemius muscle.
Trapezius muscles work to shrug the shoulder, to pull the head and shoulders back, and to support the shoulder blade when the arm is raised in an above-the-head position.
