Notes, Pictures & Videos

Muscles of the head and neck
The skull, facial bones, their openings, and other parts of the head (cartilage, fat and other tissues) are covered by sheets of facial muscles stretched out in layers. Not only do they serve to protect, but most importantly these muscles allow us to show emotion by facial expressions. Have you ever wondered what our daily interactions with one another, or our ability to non-verbally communicate effectively, would be like if we weren't able to physically express ourselves? Kind of puts into perspective how important these muscles are! In this section we'll explore the muscles of the head and neck along with their origin/insertion locations and the actions or expressions they make.

Mouth - Part 3 (Muscles of the Tongue)

Genioglossus - (geni = chin, glossus = tongue)

• O - mental spines of mandible.
• I - Inferior tongue, hyoid bone.
• A - sticks out tongue.

Styloglossus - ( stylo = pertaining to styloid process).

• O - styloid process.
• I - sides & interior of tongue.
• A - elevates & retracts tongue.

Hyoglossus - (hyo = pertaining to hyoid bone).

• O - hyoid bone.
• I - inferior & lateral side of tongue.
• A - depresses & retracts tongue.

Palatoglossus - (palato = palate).

• O - anterior surface of soft palate.
• I - lateral & posterior aspect of tongue.
• A - elevates posterior part of tongue.

Muscles of the Vertebral Column

Muscles of Respiration

• Serratus posterior superior is a thin, superior intermediate back muscles that splits into four muscle segments; its action is to elevate the ribs during inhalation.

The process of respiration involves inhalation and
exhalation. When a person inhales the respiratory muscles
contract to pull air into the lungs. When a person exhales
the respiratory muscles relax, decreasing the space in the
thoracic cavity, forcing air out of the lungs.






Muscles of the Abdominal Wall


The muscles of the abdominal wall include four pairs of muscles that keep the organs in place, aid in defecation, help us exhale, and keep our vertebral column stabilized.

External Oblique~
What the Notes Say "The external oblique not only forms an aponeurosis that contributes the rectus sheath, this aponeurosis also extends inferiorly to form a strong, cord like 'inguinal ligament' that extends from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle."

Internal Oblique~
What the Notes Say "Immediately deep to the external oblique is the internal oblique, which also forms an aponeurosis that contributes to the rectus sheath."

Transverse Abdominus~
What the Notes Say "The deepest muscle is the transverse abdominus, whose fibers project transversely across the abdomen."

Rectus Abdominus~
What the Notes Say "The rectus abdominis is a long, strap-like muscle that extends vertically the entire length of the anteriomedial wall between the sternum and the pubic symphysis."






The external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominus form an aponeurosis called the rectus sheath. This sheath surrounds and protects the rectus abdominus. Where these three muscles join with the rectus sheath, a cutaneous depression is formed just lateral to the rectus abdominus. This is called the "linea semilunaris."
The rectus abdominus is what we see most prominently on very 'ripped' individuals. (The much desired "six pack")
The depressions are formed horizontally by tendinous intersections. Vertical line is formed by the linea alba.






*This video identifies the muscles of the abdominal cavity. After
viewing this video, you should be able to correctly identify the
(*Here is how Doug says to get a perfect 6-pack*)



Muscles of the Pelvic Floor
Unisex virtual pelvic floor video Female pelvic floor anatomy video


Location
The muscles of the pelvic floor are located in the diamond-shaped perineal area. Along with ligaments and other tissues, the pelvic floor extend from the ischium and pubis of the ossa coxae across the pelvic cavity posteriorly to the sacrum and coccyx.
The pelvic floor muscles form what's called the urogenital and anal triangles. The urogenital triangle makes up the top half of the diamond-shaped perineal area and contains the urethra and external genitalia. The anal triangle makes up the bottom half of the diamond-shape and contains the anus. Both male and female have the same triangles and the same muscles with slight differences in size and shape.
Function
The pelvic floor muscles (along with ligaments and other tissues) main function is to hold up the organs (vagina, rectum, uterus and bladder) in the pelvic cavity. There are additional functions of individual muscles of the pelvic floor which are listed in the tables below under "Action".
Urogenital triangle
Unlike the anal triangle, the urogenital triangle consists of a superficial layer and a deep layer.
The superficial layer is composed of three muscles: bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus, and superficial transverse perineal.
The deep layer is composed of two muscles: deep transverse perineal and external urethral sphincter. The muscles of the deep layer are collectively referred to as the urogenital diaphragm, since they act as a barrier for the urogenital portion of the pelvic floor.

GROUP/MUSCLE	ORIGIN	INSERTION	ACTION
Urogenital triangle (Superficial layer)
Bulbospongiosus (female)	Sheath of collagen fibers at base of clitoris	Perineal body	Narrows vaginal opening; compresses and stiffens clitoris
Bulbospongiosus (male)	Sheath of collagen fibers at base of penis	Median raphe and perineal body	Ejects urine or semen; compresses base of penis; stiffens penis
Ischiocavernosus	Ischial tuberosities and ischial ramus	Pubic symphysis	Assists erection of penis or clitoris
Superficial transverse perineal	Ramus of ischium	Perineal body	Supports pelvic organs
Urogenital triangle (Deep layer) (Urogenital diaphram)
Deep transverse perineal	Ischial ramus	Median raphe of urogenital diaphragm	Supports pelvic organs
External urethral sphincter	Rami of ischium and pubis	Median raphe of urogenital diaphragm	Constricts urethra to voluntarily inhibit urination

Anal triangle
The anal triangle is composed of the coccygeus, external anal sphincter, and the largest and most important collection of muscles in the pelvic floor, called the levator ani.

GROUP/MUSCLE	ORIGIN	INSERTION	ACTION
Anal triangle
Coccygeus	Ischial spine	Lateral and inferior borders of sacrum	Forms pelvic floor and supports pelvic viscera
External anal sphincter	Perineal body	Encircles anal opening	Closes anal opening; relaxes to defecate
Levator ani
Iliococcygeus	Pubis and ischial spine	Coccyx and median raphe	Forms pelvic floor and supports pelvic viscera
Pubococcygeus	Pubis and ischial spine	Coccyx and median raphe	Forms pelvic floor and supports pelvic viscera
Puborectalis	Pubis and ischial spine	Coccyx and median raphe	Supports anorectal junction; relaxes to defecate

Common disorders
Urinary incontinence (involuntary leaking of urine when coughing, sneezing or during physical activity (stress incontinence), overactive bladder, and urgency to urinate), anal incontinence, obstructed defecation, vaginal and/or rectal prolapse, and sexual dysfunction.
Possible factors
Although men can suffer from pelvic floor disorders, the obvious differences in anatomy and function of the pelvic organs and their support that exist between men and women, make the disorders much more common in women.
Other possible factors include vaginal childbirth, aging, menopause, connective tissue disorders, degenerative neurologic conditions, obesity and prior pelvic surgery.
General treatment options
Diet changes, weight loss, exercises/physical therapy, medication, fitted support devices, and surgery.
Prevention
Performing Kegel exercises (tightening the muscles of the pelvic floor as if trying to stop the urine stream), and related Pilates and Yoga exercises may help prevent symptoms. Doing these exercises during and after pregnancy can decrease the risk of developing stress urinary incontinence after childbirth.

serratus = a saw
externus= toward outside
inter= between
cost= rib
internus= toward the inside
transverse= across
thorax= chest
dia= across
phragm= partition

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor
diaphragm= A muscle or group of muscles that covers or partitions an opening.
raphe= Line of union between two contiguous, bilateral symmetrical structures; e.g., the raphe of the scrotum.
perineal body= Central tendon of the perineum.
viscera= The soft internal organs of the body, especially those contained within the abdominal and thoracic cavities.
obstipation= Severe constipation caused by intestinal obstruction.
bulbon= bulb
spongio= sponge
ischi= hip
caverna= hollow chamber
coccy= coccyx
sphin= squeeze
ani= anus
ilio= ilium