Major Human Muscles
The human body contains over 600 muscles responsible for movement, posture, and bodily functions. This guide organizes the major skeletal muscles into Axial Muscles (head, neck, trunk) and Appendicular Muscles (limbs).
Joint Notation:
Two-Joint
Crosses 2 jointsMulti-Joint
Crosses 2+ jointsMuscle Overview
| Division | Region | Major Muscles |
|---|---|---|
| Axial Muscles | Head & Neck | 16 |
| Trunk (Back & Spine) | 8 | |
| Trunk (Respiration) | 3 | |
| Trunk (Abdominals) | 4 | |
| Axial Total | 31 | |
| Appendicular Muscles | Shoulder & Arm | 18 |
| Forearm & Hand | 16 | |
| Hip & Thigh | 18 | |
| Leg & Foot | 12 | |
| Appendicular Total | 64 | |
| Total Listed | 95 | |
Part I: Axial Muscles
Muscles of the head, neck, and trunk
Part II: Appendicular Muscles
Muscles of the limbs
Educational Note
This guide covers the major skeletal muscles commonly studied in anatomy and kinesiology courses. Two-joint and multi-joint muscles are highlighted as they play important roles in biomechanics, crossing multiple joints to produce coordinated movement patterns.