How the Muscles are Named

Chapter8

Basic Naming Conventions

Deltoid - shaped like a triangleOrbicularis - orbit, circular muscleMajor/Minor - large/small or sometimes upper and lowerVastus - largeDorsi or Dorsal - backsideInfra / Supra - lower and upperLongis / Brevis - long/ short (brief) Medialis / Lateralus - medial (toward the inside), lateral (toward the outside)

Basic Naming Conventions

Some are named based on the region or bone they are attached to:

biceps femoris - two headed muscle attached to the femurextensor carpi radialis longus - long muscle that runs the length of the radius (bone) to the carpals (wrist bones) that extends the fingers