Muscles of the upper limb are 59 muscles.

(4) Muscles of the pectoral region

The muscles of the pectoral region are:

1-pectoralis major
2-pectoralis minor
3-subclavius
4-serratus anterior

1- Pectoralis major: It is a powerful, fan-shaped muscle.

Origin: arises by two heads

a- Clavicular head: arises from the anterior surface of medial 1/2 of clavicle.
b- Sternocostal head: arises from the anterior surface of sternum; upper six costal
cartilages and aponeurosis of external oblique muscle of the abdomen.

insertion: into the lateral lip of intertubercular sulcus (bicipital groove) of humerus.
Nerve supply: medial and lateral pectoral nerves (C5-T1).
Actions:
1- The whole muscle functions to flex, adduct, and medially rotate arm at the glenohumeral
joint.
2- Clavicular head flexes the extended arm.
3-Sternocostal head extends the flexed arm.
4-With the arm above the head, the lowest fibers act with the latissimus dorsi to pull down the
arm or raise the body, as in climbing a rope.
2- Pectoralis Minor :The pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle that lies deep to
the pectoralis major.

Origin: It arises from 3-5 ribs

Insertion: into the coracoid process of the scapula.
Nerve supply: medial pectoral nerve (C8, T1).
Actions: - it pulls the scapula (and hence the shoulder) downwards and forwards.
It raises the ribs in inspiration when the scapula is fixed.

3- Subclavius:
Origin: First rib at junction between rib and costal cartilage.
Insertion: inferior surface of the clavicle (Groove on inferior surface of the middle third of the
clavicle).

Nerve supply: nerve to the subclavius [C5, C6]

from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus.
Actions: Pulls clavicle medially to stabilize sternoclavicular joint.

4-Serratus anterior:
Origin: Lateral surfaces of upper eight ribs and deep fascia overlying
the related intercostal spaces.

Insertion: Costal (anterior) surface of medial border of scapula.

Nerve supply: Long thoracic nerve (C5, C6, C7).
Actions: Protraction of the scapula (draws the scapula forwards),
also help in rotation of the scapula by the most inferior fibers rotate the scapula
superiorly by the assist of levator scapulae and lower fibers of trapezius muscle.
 The shoulder region:

NOTE: The muscles of the shoulder region are associated with movements of the upper limb.
They produce the characteristic shape of the shoulder, and can be divided into two groups:

1_Extrinsic - originate from the torso, and attach to the bones of the shoulder (clavicle,
scapula or humerus).

2_Intrinsic - originate from the scapula and/or clavicle, and attach to the humerus.
Note: there are other muscles that act on the shoulder joint - the muscles of the pectoral
region, and the upper arm.

Extrinsic group: 5 muscles (origin) connect spines & transverse processes of vertebra with
(insertion) scapula, clavicle & humerus:
1- trapezius (superficial back muscle)
2-latismus dorssi (superficial back muscle)
3-levator scapulae (deep back muscle)
4-rhomboids minor (deep back muscle)
5-rhomboids major (deep back muscle)
1-TRAPEZIUS
Origin: medial third of the superior nuchal line, external occipital protuberance, ligamentum
nuchae, spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T12, supraspinous ligaments and the spinous of all
12 thoracic vertebrae.
Insertion: posterior lateral third of the clavicle, medial side of the acromion and the upper
crest of the scapular spine, tubercle of the scapular spine
Action: upper fiber elevate scapula, middle fibers retract the scapula, lower fibers depress the
scapula
Note: rotates the scapula while raising the arm above the head with the serratus anterior.
Nerve supply: 1- motor nerve spinal part of accessory nerve (XI),
2- sensory nerve (proprioception): anterior rami of C3-C4

Anterior view

Posterior view
2-latissimus dorsi (deep to the trapezius)
Origin: 1-arises from the lower six thoracic spines from T7 to the
2- inferior angle of the scapula
3- posterior part of the iliac crest
4-lower 3-4 ribs.

NOTE: the thoracolumbar fascia between the it and the trap

Insertion: The fibers of the latissimus dorsi come together and wind around the inferior border
of the teres major to reach its anterior surface and are inserted into the intertubercular groove
of the humerus.

Nerve supply: thoracodorsal nerve (C6, C7, C8).

Actions: 1-Adduction 2-medial rotation, 3-extension of the arm at the shoulder joint.

3-Levator scapulae
Origin: from the transverse processes of C1-C4 vertebrae
Insertion: inserted into posterior surface of medial border of scapula from superior angle to
root of spine of the scapula.
Nerve supply: dorsal scapular nerve (C4, C5).

Actions: elevation and retraction of the scapula.

4-Rhomboid minor
Origin:1-from the lower part of the ligamentum nuchae
2-the spine of vertebra C7,T1.

Insertion: medial border of scapula at the root of the spine of the scapula.
Nerve supply: dorsal scapular nerve (C4, C5).
Action: retraction and elevation of the scapula.

5-Rhomboid major
Origin: the spines of T2-T5.
Insertion: medial border of the scapula inferior to the spine of the
scapula

Nerve supply: dorsal scapular nerve.

Action: retraction and elevation of the scapula.

Intrinsic group:
6 Muscles connect the scapula & the clavicle(origin) with the humers(insertion).
1-Deltoid
2-Teres major
Rotator cuff group:
3-Teres minor
4-Infraspinatus
5-supraspinataus
6-Subscapularis
1-Deltoid Muscle:
Origin: 1-the anterior border of the lateral third of the clavicle
2-acromion
3-spine of the scapula

Insertion: the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.

Nerve supply: axillary nerve (C5,6).
Action: 1-the anterior fibers flex and medially rotate the arm
2-the middle fibers abduct the arm (2nd stage from 18-90)

3-the posterior fibers extend and laterally rotate the arm.

2-Teres major
Origin: the posterior surface of the inferior angle of the scapula
Insertion: medial lip of the bicipital groove.
Nerve supply: lower subscapular nerve (C5, C6, C7).
Note: fibers pass to the anterior surface of the humerus=
Actions: adduction, extension and medial rotation of the arm at the shoulder joint.
3-Teres minor
Origin: upper 2/3 of the posterior surface of the lateral border
of the scapula.

Insertion: lowest-inferior-facet on the posterior surface of the greater

tubercle of the humerus.

Nerve supply: Axillary nerve (C5, C6)

Actions: lateral rotation of arm at the shoulder joint, stabilization of shoulder joint.

4-Infraspinatus
origin: the infraspinous fossa of the scapula.
Insertion: middle facet on the greater tubercle of the humerus.
Nerve supply: suprascapular nerve (C5, C6).
Actions: lateral rotation of the shoulder joint, also
stabilization of shoulder joint.

5-supraspinataus
Origin: arises from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula.
Insertion: highest-superior-facet on the greater tubercle of the humerus.
Nerve supply: suprascapular nerve (C5, C6).
Actions: abduction of the arm (the initial-1ststage- 15° of abduction);
stabilization of shoulder joint.
6-Subscapularis
Origin: medial two-thirds of subscapular fossa.
Insertion: It is inserted on the lesser tubercle of the humerus.
Nerve supply: upper and lower subscapular nerves (C5, C6, (C7).
Actions: medial rotation of the arm at the shoulder joint.
Plays an important role in stabilizing the shoulder joint.

4 Muscles in the arm

(A) 3 muscles in front

1-Biceps brachii
2-coracobrachialis
3-Brachialis

(B)1 muscle in back

1-Triceps
1-Biceps brachii

Origin:
1-Long head: supraglenoid tubercle of scapula; Its tendon runs on the upper surface of
the head of the humerus and emerges from the joint through the intertubercular groove.
2-Short head: arises with the coracobrachialis from the tip of the coracoid process of
the scapula.

Insertion: The two heads of the biceps fuse in the distal third of the arm and form a short
tendon which inserts into the posterior surface of the radial tuberosity. The biceps tendon also
gives off the bicipital aponeurosis. The bicipital aponeurosis forms a secondary insertion of the
biceps to the posterior border of the ulna.

Nerve supply: Musculocutaneous nerve (C5, C6).

Actions:
1-Supination of the forearm
2-flexion of the elbow joint
3-Weak flexor of the arm at the shoulder joint.

NOTE: The long head of the biceps helps to hold the head of the humerus against the glenoid
cavity, especially when the arm is abducted
2-Coracobrachialis:
Origin: coracoid process of the scapula.
Insertion: middle of the medial surface of the humerus.
Nerve supply: Musculocutaneous nerve (C5, C6).
Actions: Flexor of the arm at the shoulder joint.

3- Brachialis
Origin: anterior surface of the distal half of the humerus and adjacent intermuscular septa
Insertion: It descends across the anterior surface of the elbow joint to be inserted into the
tuberosity of the ulna.

Nerve supply: Innervation of the brachialis muscle is predominantly by the musculocutaneous

nerve (C5, C6). A small component of the lateral part is innervated by the radial nerve (C7).

Actions: Powerful flexor of the forearm at the elbow joint.

N.B.: The musculocutaneous nerve is the motor supply to all of the muscles of the anterior
compartment of the arm. Thus, damage to this nerve interferes with flexion at the shoulder
and elbow joints, especially the elbow joint, and weakens supination.
4-Triceps brachii:
Origin: The triceps brachii muscle has three heads:
1- The long head: the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula.
2- The lateral head: from the upper third of the posterior surface of the humerus.
3- The medial head: from the posterior surface of the humerus, distal to the groove for the
radial nerve.
NOTE: The long and lateral heads descend posterior to the groove for the radial nerve and are
joined on their deep surfaces by the medial head of triceps.

Insertion: The three heads form a common tendon which is inserted into the superior surface
of the olecranon process.
Some of the deep fibers pass to the articular capsule of the elbow joint. These fibers pull up the
redundant part of the capsule to avoid it being caught between the olecranon and the humerus
in extension of the joint.

Nerve supply: radial nerve (C6,7,8).

Actions: all three heads of the triceps are extensors of the elbow joint.
: The long head also acts on the shoulder joint. It is mainly responsible for steadying the
humerus in the glenoid cavity, in abduction of the arm.