list of skeletal muscles of the human body list of skeletal muscles of the human body this is a table of skeletal muscles of the human anatomy. there are around 650 skeletal muscles within the typical human body. (aldough none of the sources listed here or found by a quick google manage to actuelly list that many muscles, a consus remains that this many exists)almost every muscle constitutes one part of a pair of identical bilateral muscles, found on both sides, resulting in approximately 320 pairs of muscles, as presented in this article. nevertheless, the exact number is difficult to define. different sources group muscles differently, regarding what is defined as different parts of a single muscle or as several muscles. there are also vestigial muscles that are present in some people but absent in others, such as palmaris longus muscle. the muscles of the human body can be categorized into a number of groups which include muscles relating to the head and neck, muscles of the torso or trunk, muscles of the upper limbs, and muscles of the lower limbs. the action refers to the action of each muscle from the standard anatomical position. in other positions, other actions may be performed. these muscles are described using anatomical terminology. the term "muscle" is omitted from muscle names (except when a muscle is an origin or insertion), and the term "bone" is omitted from bone names. the terms "artery" and "nerve" are both used when these structures are mentioned. head forehead/eyelid muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. occipitofrontalis2 occipital bellies and 2 frontal belliesepicranial aponeurosisfacial nerve raises eyebrows 2 1 occipitalissuperior nuchal line of occipital bone, mastoid part of temporal boneoccipital arteryposterior auricular nerve (facial nerve )retracts scalp 2? 2 frontalisskin of eyebrow and glabellaophthalmic arterytemporal branch of facial nerve wrinkles eyebrow 2? 3 orbicularis oculiorbital part: frontal bone palpebral part: medial palpebral ligament lacrimal part: posterior crest of lacrimal bone orbital part: lateral palpebral raphe palpebral part: lateral palpebral raphe lacrimal part: edges of eyelids ophthalmic artery, zygomatico-orbital artery, angular arteryzygomatic branch of facial nerve closes eyelidslevator palpebrae superioris 2? 4 corrugator superciliinasal part of frontal boneintermediate third of skin of eyebrowophthalmic arteryzygomatic branch of facial nerve moves skin of forehead medially and inferiorly (towards root of nose) 2? 5 depressor superciliinasal part of frontal bone, medial rim of orbitmedial third of skin of eyebrowmoves skin of eyebrows inferiorly 2? 6 extraocular muscles muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. levator palpebrae superiorissphenoid bonetarsal plate, upper eyelidophthalmic arteryoculomotor nerve retracts and elevates eyelidorbicularis oculi 2 7 superior tarsal/muller's muscleunderside of levator palpebrae superiorissuperior tarsal plate of eyelidsympathetic nervous systemraises upper eyelid 2 8 rectus muscles superiorannulus of zinn at orbital apex7.5 mm superior to corneal limbusophthalmic artery superior branch of oculomotor nerve elevates, adducts, and medially rotates eye 2 9 inferior6.5 mm inferior to corneal limbus inferior branch of oculomotor nerve depresses and adducts eye 2 10 medial5.5 mm medial to corneal limbus inferior branch of oculomotor nerve adducts eye 2 11 lateral7 mm temporal to corneal limbus abducens nerve abducts eye 2 12 oblique muscles superiorannulus of zinn at orbital apex, medial to optic canalouter posterior quadrant of eyeballlateral muscular branch of ophthalmic arterytrochlear nerve intorts, abducts, and depress eye 2 13 inferiororbital surface of maxilla, lateral to lacrimal groovelaterally onto eyeball, deep to lateral rectus, by a short flat tendonoculomotor nerve extorts, elevates, and abducts eye 2 14 ear muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. temporoparietalisauriculares musclesepicranial aponeurosisfacial nerve 2 15 auriculares auricularis anterior temporal fascia front of helix of ear posterior auricular artery facial nerve pulls auricle forwards 2 16 auricularis superior epicranial aponeurosis dorsocranial surface of auricle pulls auricle upwards 2 17 auricularis posterior mastoid process of temporal bone, tendon of sternocleidomastoid dorsal part of auricle pulls auricle backwards 2 18 muscles of inner ear stapediustip of pyramid of middle earneck of stapesstapedial branch of posterior auricular arterynerve to the stapedius from facial nerve reduces movement of stapes, controls amplitude of sound waves to inner ear 2 19 tensor tympanieustachian tubehandle of malleussuperior tympanic arterymedial pterygoid nerve from mandibular nerve tenses tympanic membrane, controls amplitude of sound waves to inner ear 2 20 nose muscleorigininsertionartery nerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. procerus musclefascia over lower part of nasal boneskin of lower part of forehead between eyebrowsfacial artery buccal branch of facial nerve draws down medial angle of eyebrow (giving expressions of frowning) 2 22 depressor septi nasiincisive fossa of maxillanasal septum and back part of alar part of nasalissuperior labial arterydepresses nasal septum 2 23 levator labii superioris alaeque nasifrontal process of maxillanostril and upper lipsuperior labial arterydilates nostril, elevates upper lip, elevates wing of nose 2 24 nasalis transverse part (compressor naris) alveolar yoke of canine tooth lateral nasal cartilage superior labial artery buccal branch of facial nerve compresses nostrils 2 25 alar part (dilator naris) alveolar yoke of lateral incisor tooth, greater and lesser alar cartilagesskin near margin of nostril dilates nostrils 2 26 mouth muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. levator anguli oris(caninus)maxillamodiolus of mouthfacial arteryfacial nerve elevates angle of mouth (smile)depressor anguli oris 2 27 depressor anguli oris(triangularis)tubercle of mandiblemandibular branch of facial nerve depresses angle of mouth (frown)levator anguli oris 2 28 levator labii superiorismedial part of infra-orbital margin of maxillaskin and muscle of upper lip (labii superioris)superior labial arterybuccal branch of facial nerve elevates upper lip 2 29 depressor labii inferiorisoblique line of mandible, between symphysis and mental foramenintegument of lower lip, orbicularis oris fibers, its fellow of opposite sideinferior labial arterymandibular branch of facial nerve depresses lower lip 2 30 mentalisalveolar yoke of lower, lateral incisor tooth, found on anterior mandibleskin of chinelevates and wrinkles skin of chin, protrudes lower lip 2 31 buccinatoralveolar processes of maxilla and mandible, pterygomandibular raphefibres of orbicularis orisbuccal arterybuccal branch of facial nerve compress cheeks against teeth (blowing), mastication 2 32 orbicularis orismaxilla and mandibleskin around lipssuperior labial artery, inferior labial arterypuckers lips 2 33 risoriusparotid fasciamodiolus of mouthfacial arterydraw back angle of mouth 2 34 zygomatic muscles majorzygomatic bone in region of zygomaticomaxillary suturemodiolus of mouthfacial arterybuccal branch of facial nerve draws angle of mouth upward and laterally 2 35 minorskin of upper lipelevates upper lip 2 36 mastication muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. masseteranterior two-thirds of inferior margin of zygomatic arch and maxillaangle of mandible, masseteric tuberosity of mandiblemasseteric arterymasseteric nerve from mandibular nerve elevates and retracts mandible (closes mouth)platysma 2 37 temporalistemporal lines on parietal bone of skullcoronoid process of mandibledeep temporal arteriesdeep temporal nerves from mandibular nerve 2 38 pterygoid muscles lateralgreater wing of sphenoid and lateral pterygoid processcondyloid process of mandiblepterygoid branches of maxillary arteryexternal pterygoid nerve from mandibular nerve depresses mandible (opens mouth)masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid 2 39 medialdeep head: medial side of lateral pterygoid plate behind upper teethsuperficial head: pyramidal process of palatine bone and maxillary tuberositymedial angle of mandiblemedial pterygoid nerve from mandibular nerve elevates mandible, closes jaw, helps lateral pterygoid in moving jaw from side to side 2 40 extrinsic muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. genioglossussuperior part of mental spine of mandible (symphysis menti)dorsum of tongue, body of hyoidlingual arteryhypoglossal nerve inferior fibers: protrudes tongue middle fibers: depresses tongue superior fibers: draws tip of tongue back and down 2 41 hyoglossushyoidside of tonguedepresses tongue 2 42 chondroglossuslesser cornu and body of hyoid boneintrinsic muscular fibers of tonguedepresses tongue (some consider this muscle to be part of hyoglossus) 2 43 styloglossusstyloid process of temporal bonetonguesublingual branch of lingual arteryelevates and retracts tongueinferior and middle fibers of genioglossus 2 44 palatoglossuspalatine aponeurosisvagus nerve , accessory nerve raising back part of tongue 2 45 intrinsic muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. superior longitudinalclose to epiglottis, from median fibrous septumedges of tonguelingual artery, tonsilar branch of facial artery, ascending pharyngeal arteryhypoglossal nerve shortens tongue, turns tip upward, turns lateral margins upward 2 46 transversusmedian fibrous septumsides of tonguenarrows tongue with no elongation 2 47 inferior longitudinalroot of tongueapex of tongueshortens tongue, retracts, pulls tip downward 2 48 verticalisdorsum of tongueinferior surface borders of tongue 2 49 soft palate muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr tensor veli palatinimedial pterygoid plate of sphenoid bonepalatine aponeurosismedial pterygoid nerve from mandibular nerve tenses soft palate, aids in swallowing levator veli palatini temporal bone, eustachian tube facial artery pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve elevates soft palate palatoglossuspalatine aponeurosistongueaids in breathing by raising back part of tongue 2 51 palatopharyngeuspalatine aponeurosis and hard palateupper border of thyroid cartilage (blends with constrictor fibers)facial artery pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve aids in breathing by pulling pharynx and larynx 2 52 palatine uvulahard palatesoft tissue of uvulamoves and changes shape of uvula 2 53 pharynx muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. stylopharyngeusstyloid process of temporal bonethyroid cartilage (pharynx)pharyngeal branches of ascending pharyngeal arteryglossopharyngeal nerve elevates larynx, elevates pharynx, swallowing 2 54 salpingopharyngeuscartilage of eustachian tubeposterior fasciculus of pharyngopalatinusvagus nerve , accessory nerve raises nasopharynx 2 55 pharyngeal muscles inferiorcricoid cartilage, thyroid cartilagepharyngeal raphepharyngeal branches of ascending pharyngeal arteryexternal laryngeal branch of superior laryngeal nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve from vagus nerve swallowing 2 56 middlehyoid bonepharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve 2 57 superiormedial pterygoid plate, pterygomandibular raphé, alveolar processpharyngeal raphe, pharyngeal tubercleascending pharyngeal artery, tonsilar branch of facial artery 2 58 larynx muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. cricothyroidanterior and lateral cricoid cartilageinferior cornu and lamina of thyroid cartilagecricothyroid branch of superior thyroid arteryexternal laryngeal branch of superior laryngeal nerve from vagus nerve tenses and elongates vocal folds (has minor adductory effect) 2 59 arytenoid(transverse and oblique)arytenoid cartilage on one sidearytenoid cartilage on opposite sidesuperior laryngeal branch of superior thyroid arteryrecurrent laryngeal nerve from vagus nerve approximates arytenoid cartilages (closes rima glottidis) 2 60 thyroarytenoidinner (anterior) surface of thyroid cartilageanterior surface of arytenoid cartilagethickens and decreases length of vocal folds, adducts during speech 2 61 cricoarytenoid muscles posteriorposterior part of cricoid cartilagemuscular process of arytenoid cartilagerecurrent laryngeal nerve from vagus nerve abducts and laterally rotates cartilage, pulling vocal ligaments away from midline and forward and so opening rima glottidislateral cricoarytenoid 2 62 laterallateral part of arch of cricoid cartilageadducts and medially rotates cartilage, pulling vocal ligaments towards midline and backwards and so closing rima glottidisposterior cricoarytenoid 2 63 neck clavicular muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. platysmabase of mandibleinferior clavicle and fascia of chestbranches of submental artery, branches of suprascapular arterycervical branch of facial nerve tenses skin of neckmasseter, temporalis 2 64 sternocleidomastoidsternal head: manubrium sterni clavicular head: medial portion of clavicle mastoid process of temporal bone, superior nuchal lineoccipital artery, superior thyroid arterymotor: accessory nervesensory: cervical plexusacting alone: tilts head to its own side, rotates head so face is turned towards opposite side acting together: flexes neck, raises sternum, assists in forced inspiration 2 65 suprahyoid muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. digastricanterior belly: digastric fossa (mandible) posterior belly: mastoid process of temporal bone intermediate tendon (lesser horn of hyoid bone)anterior belly: submental branch of facial artery posterior belly: occipital artery anterior belly: mandibular nerve via mylohyoid nerve posterior belly: facial nerve opens jaw when masseter and temporalis are relaxed ??? 66 stylohyoidstyloid process of temporal bonegreater horn of hyoid boneoccipital arteryfacial nerve elevates hyoid during swallowing ??? 67 mylohyoidmylohyoid line of mandiblepharyngeal raphemylohyoid branch of inferior alveolar arterymylohyoid nerve, from inferior alveolar branch of mandibular nerve raises oral cavity floor, elevates hyoid, depresses mandible ??? 68 geniohyoidmandibular symphysisanterior surface of body of hyoid bonec1 via hypoglossal nerveelevates hyoid and tongue upward during swallowing ??? 69 infrahyoid muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr sternohyoidmanubrium of sternumhyoid bonesuperior thyroid arteryansa cervicalisdepresses hyoid ??? 70 sternothyroidthyroid cartilagedepresses larynx, may slightly depress hyoid ??? 71 thyrohyoidthyroid cartilagehyoid bonec1depress hyoid ??? 72 omohyoidupper border of scapulainferior thyroid arteryansa cervicalisdepresses larynx, depresses and moves to side hyoid ??? 73 anterior muscleorigininsertionarterynerveactionantagonist number of occurrences in a standard human body wiki nr. longus collitransverse processes of vertebrae c3, c4, c5, and c6anterior arch of atlasascending pharyngeal artery, vertebral