Occipitofrontalis origin, insertion, innervation, action, Palpation
Origin
Occipital Belly- Superior Nuchal Line of the Occipital and Mastoid Process of Temporal Bone
Insertion
Occipital belly- Epicranial aponeurosis.
Frontal Belly- Skin superior to
supraorbital margin.
Innervation- Facial (VII) nerve.
Action
Occipital Belly- Draws scalp posteriorly.
Frontal Belly- Draws scalp anteriorly, raises eyebrows, and wrinkles skin of forehead
horizontally as in look of surprise.
Palpation-
1. With the client prone or supine, place palpating fingers over the occipital bone and feel for the occipitalis, over the parietal bone and feel for the galea aponeurotica,
and over the frontal bone and feel for the frontalis.
2. Ask the client to wrinkle the skin of the forehead, and feel for the contraction of the
muscle.
Masseter origin, insertion, innervation, action, Palpation
Origin- Maxilla and zygomatic arch
Insertion- Angle and ramus of
mandible.
Innervation- Mandibular division of
trigeminal (V) nerve.
Action- .
Palpation-
1. With the client supine, place palpating fingers between the zygomatic arch and the
angle of the mandible.
2. Have the client alternately clench the teeth and relax and feel for contraction and
relaxation of the masseter. When the masseter contracts, the muscle may visibly
bulge out.
Temporalis origin, insertion, innervation, action, Palpation
Origin- Temporal bone
Insertion- Coronoid process and
ramus of mandible.
Innervation- Mandibular division of
trigeminal (V) nerve.
Action-
Palpation-
Platysma origin, insertion, innervation, action, Palpation
Origin- Subcutaneous Fascia over deltoid and
pectoralis major muscles
Insertion- Mandible and the subcutaneous fascia of the lower face. blends with muscles around angle of mouth, and skin of lower
face.
Innervation-Facial (VII) nerve.
Action-Draws outer part of lower lip inferiorly and posteriorly as in pouting; depresses mandible.
Palpation-
1. With the client seated or supine, place palpating fingers on the anterolateral neck.
2. Ask the client to forcefully contract the platysma by depressing and drawing the
lower lip laterally, while keeping the mandible fixed in a position of slight depression. Observe and feel for the ridges of skin of the neck caused by the
contraction of the platysma.
Sternocleidomastoid origin, insertion, innervation, action, Palpation
Origin- Sternal head: manubrium of
sternum
clavicular head: medial third
of clavicle.
Insertion- Lateral surface of mastoid process of the temporal bone, Lateral half of superior nuchal line of the occipital bone
Innervation- Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI), C2, and C3.
Action-
Palpation-
Trapezius origin, insertion, innervation, action, Palpation
Origin-
UPPER: the external occipital protuberance, the medial ⅓ of the superior nuchal line of the occiput, the nuchal ligament, and the spinous process of C7
MIDDLE: the spinous processes of T1-T5
LOWER: the spinous processes of T6-T12
Insertion-
UPPER: lateral ⅓ of the clavicle and the acromion process of the scapula
MIDDLE: acromion process and spine of the scapula
LOWER: the tubercle at the root of the spine of the scapula
Innervation- Spinal Accessory (XI) nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client prone, place palpating hand over the trapezius.
2. Ask the client to actively abduct the arm at the glenohumeral joint and slightly
retract the scapula at the scapulocostal joint.
3. Palpate all three parts of the trapezius, lower, middle, and upper, by strumming
perpendicular to the fibers.
4. To further bring out the upper trapezius, have the client perform slight extension of
the head and neck at the spinal joints.
Rhomboid major & minor origin, insertion, innervation, action, Palpation
Origin-
Minor- SP’s of C7 and T1
Major- SP’s of T2 - T5
Insertion-
minor- Medial (vertebral) border of scapula at root of spine
Major- Medial (vertebral) border of scapula inferior of spine
Innervation- Dorsal Scapular Nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client seated or prone and the hand placed in the small of the back, place
palpating hand between the scapula (at a level that is between the inferior angle and
the root of the spine of the scapula) and the spine.
2. Ask the client to move the hand away from the back and feel for the contraction of
the rhomboids.
3. Palpate the entirety of the rhomboids.
Levator scapulae origin, insertion, innervation, action, Palpation
Origin- TP’s of C1 - C4
Insertion- Medial border of scapulae (superior spine of scapula)
Innervation- Dorsal Scapular Nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client seated and the hand in the small of the back (to relax the trapezius),
place palpating hand just superior to the superior angle of the scapula.
2. Ask the client to perform a short, gentle range of motion of elevation of the scapula
and feel for the contraction of the levator scapulae.
3. Continue palpating the levator scapulae superiorly into the posterior triangle of the
neck (the area between the sternocleidomastoid and the upper trapezius). When palpating in the posterior triangle of the neck, the client’s hand does not need to be in the small of the back and the client can contract more forcefully, and against resistance if desired.
Pectoralis major origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin-
Clavicular Head: medial half of clavicle
Sternocostal Head: sternum, costal cartilages of R1 - R7
Insertion- Lateral Lip of the Bicipital Groove (Intertubercular sulcus) of the
Humerus
Innervation- Medial & lateral pectoral nerves
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client seated with the arm raised to 90 degrees of abduction at the GH
joint, place palpating hand on the belly of the pectoralis major.
2. Have the client horizontally flex the arm against resistance and feel for the
contraction of the pectoralis major.
3. Continue palpating the pectoralis major medially and superiorly toward its
attachments on the trunk and distally toward its humeral attachment.
4. Note: The anterior axillary fold of tissue is created by the pectoralis major
Pectoralis Minor origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- R3 - R5
Insertion- Coracoid Process
Innervation- The Medial and Lateral Pectoral Nerves
Action-
Palpation-
Protract shoulder
Or
1. With the client seated and the hand relaxed in the small of the back, place palpating
fingers just inferior to the coracoid process of the scapula.
2. Have the client lift the hand away from the back and feel for the contraction of the
pectoralis minor.
3. Palpate the entirety of the muscle.
Serratus anterior origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- R1 - R9
Insertion- Anterior surface of vertebral (medial) border of scapula between scapula and ribs
Innervation- Long Thoracic Nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client supine and the arm flexed to 90 degrees at the shoulder joint (hand
pointed toward the ceiling), place palpating hand on the rib cage on the lateral trunk
between the anterior and posterior axillary folds of tissue.
2. Have the client protract the scapula by pushing the hand toward the ceiling and feel for the contraction of the serratus anterior. Resistance may be added.
3. Once located, try to follow the serratus anterior as far anterior as possible (deep to
the pectoralis major) and as far posterior as possible (deep to the latissimus dorsi
and the scapula).
Subclavius origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- R1
Insertion- Subclavian Groove of Clavicle
Innervation- subclavian nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client supine and the arm medially rotated (to relax and slacken the
pectoralis major) and resting at the side of the body, place palpating fingers slightly
inferior to the middle ⅓ of the clavicle.
2. Now curl your fingers under the clavicle and feel for the subclavius against the
inferior surface of the clavicle.
3. To engage the subclavius, have the client depress the shoulder girdle and feel for its
contraction.
Latissimus dorsi origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- SP of T7 to L5, Crest of Ilium and Sacrum, Lowest four ribs
Insertion- Floor of the Bicipital Groove (Intertubercular sulcus) of the
Humerus
Innervation- Thoracodorsal Nerve (C6, C7, C8)
Action-
Palpation-
1. Both the client and therapist are standing; the therapist is standing to the front and
side of the client.
2. Have the client place his or her arm on your shoulder and place your palpating hand
on the client’s posterior axillary fold.
3. Have the client attempt to adduct and extend the arm at the GH joint with your
shoulder providing resistance, and feel for the contraction of the latissimus dorsi.
4. Continue palpating the latissimus dorsi distally into the axilla toward the humeral
attachment and inferiorly toward the lumbar/pelvic attachment.
Deltoid origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- Lateral 1/3 of clavicle (anterior fibres), Acromion (lat or middle fibers), Spine of scapula (post fibres)
Insertion- Deltoid tuberosity of humerus
Innervation- Axillary Nerve (close to surgical neck of humerus)
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client seated, place palpating hand just distal to the acromion process of
the scapula.
2. Have the client abduct the arm at the GH joint and feel for the contraction of the
deltoid. Resistance can be added.
3. Continue palpating the deltoid anteriorly for the anterior fibers and posteriorly for
the posterior fibers. Palpate all fibers distally to the deltoid tuberosity of the
humerus.
4. Note: Horizontal flexion can be used for the anterior fibers; horizontal extension can
be used for the posterior fibers.
Teres major origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- Inferior lateral border of scapula
Insertion- Medial Lip of the Bicipital Groove (Intertubercular sulcus) of the
Humerus
Innervation- Lower subscapular
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client prone with the arm on the table and the forearm hanging off the
table, place palpating hand just lateral to the inferior lateral border of the scapula.
2. Have the client medially rotate the arm at the GH joint (this requires the client’s
hand to swing posteriorly and up) and feel for the contraction of the teres major.
Resistance can be added.
3. Continue palpating the teres major distally into the axilla toward the medial lip of the bicipital groove on the anterior surface of the humerus.
Teres minor origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- Superior Lateral border of scapula
Insertion- inferior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Innervation- Axillary Nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client prone with the arm on the table and the forearm hanging off the
table, place palpating hand just lateral to the superior lateral border of the scapula
and feel for the round belly of the teres minor.
2. Have the client laterally rotate the arm at the GH joint (this requires the client’s
hand to swing anteriorly and up) and feel for its contraction. Resistance can be
given. (Note: It can be challenging to discern the teres minor from the infraspinatus.)
3. Palpate the teres minor distally to the greater tubercle of the humerus.
Subscapularis origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- Subscapular fossa under scapula anteriorly
Insertion- Lesser tubercle of humerus
Innervation- Upper and Lower Subscapular Nerves
Action-
1. Medial Rotation of the arm at the shoulder joint
Palpation-
1. Have the client supine with the arm that is on the side of the target muscle being
palpated crossed on the chest such that the elbow is lying on the abdomen and the
hand is holding onto the opposite-side shoulder (the arm will be slightly flexed and
adducted at the GH joint, and the forearm will be flexed at the elbow joint). Further,
have the client place the opposite-side hand on top of the elbow of the arm that is
crossed on the chest, gently holding the elbow down.
2. Place your superior (cephalad) hand under the scapula, grasping the medial border
of the scapula and pulling the scapula laterally (protracting the scapula at the
scapulocostal joint).
3. With your inferior (palpating) hand, press in between the scapula and the ribcage of
the client and then press with your finger pads oriented posteriorly against the
anterior surface of the scapula for the subscapularis.
4. To engage the subscapularis, have the client medially rotate the arm at the GH joint
Supraspinatus origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- Supraspinous Fossa
Insertion- Superior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Innervation- Suprascapular Nerve
Action-
1. Abduction of arm at GH Joint
Palpation-
1. With the client seated and the arm hanging at the side, place palpating hand just
superior to the spine of the scapula.
2. Have the client perform a short, gentle range of motion of the arm at the GH joint that is approximately 30–35 degrees anterior to pure abduction (i.e., an oblique
motion that is a combination of abduction and flexion) and feel for the contraction
of the supraspinatus. (Note: If the client is prone, a short, gentle range of pure
abduction of the arm can be done.)
3. Palpate the entirety of the belly in the supraspinous fossa and then palpate the distal tendon on the greater tubercle of the humerus (note: the portion deep to the
acromion process cannot be palpated).
Infraspinatus origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- Infraspinous Fossa
Insertion- Middle facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Innervation- Suprascapular Nerve
Action-
1. Lateral rotation of the arm at the shoulder joint
Palpation-
1. With the client prone with the arm on the table and the forearm hanging off the
table, place palpating hand on the infraspinous fossa. (Make sure you are inferior to the deltoid.)
2. Have the client laterally rotate the arm at the GH joint (this requires the client’s
hand to swing anteriorly and up) through a small range of motion and feel for the
contraction of the infraspinatus. Resistance can be given. (Note: It can be
challenging to discern the infraspinatus from the teres minor.)
3. Palpate the infraspinatus in the infraspinous fossa and then follow it distally to the greater tubercle of the humerus.
CORACOBRACHIALIS origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- Coracoid Process of Scapula
Insertion- Middle portion of the medial surface of the humerus
Innervation- musculocutaneous nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client seated with the arm abducted to 90 degrees and laterally rotated, and
the forearm flexed at the elbow joint to 90 degrees, place palpating fingers on the
medial side of the humerus, approximately halfway down the shaft.
2. Have the client horizontally flex the arm at the GH joint against resistance and feel
for the contraction of the coracobrachialis. (Note: It can be challenging to discern
the coracobrachialis from the short head of the biceps brachii; the biceps brachii
also contracts with flexion of the forearm at the elbow joint.)
3. Note: Be careful with palpation in the medial arm because the median and ulnar
nerves and brachial artery are superficial here.
Biceps brachii origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin-
Short Head: Coracoid Process of scapula
Long Head: Supraglenoid tubercle of scapula
Insertion- Radial Tuberosity and the bicipital aponeurosis
Innervation- musculocutaneous nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client seated or supine and the forearm supinated, place palpating hand on
the anterior arm and feel for the biceps brachii.
2. Have the client flex the forearm at the elbow joint and feel for the contraction of the biceps brachii. Resistance can be added.
3. Continue palpating the biceps brachii proximally and distally toward its
attachments.
4. Note: Be careful with palpation in the medial arm, because the median and ulnar
nerves and brachial artery are superficial here.
Brachialis origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- Distal half of anterior surface of humerus
Insertion- Ulnar tuberosity, coronoid process of ulna
Innervation- musculocutaneous nerve
Action-
1. Flexion of forearm @ elbow joint
Palpation-
1. With the client seated or supine and the forearm fully pronated at the radioulnar
joints, place palpating hand on the distal lateral arm.
2. Have the client flex the forearm further with a short, gentle range of motion and feel
for the contraction of the brachialis. If resistance is added, add only gentle
resistance.
3. The brachialis can be palpated on the lateral side of the arm and the medial side of
the arm. It can also be palpated anteriorly through the biceps brachii.
4. Note: Be careful with palpation in the distal medial arm, because the median and
ulnar nerves and brachial artery are superficial here.
Brachioradialis origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin- proximal 2.3 of lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus
Insertion- superior to styloid process of radius
Innervation- musculocutaneous nerve
Action-
1. flexion of the forearm at the elbow joint
Palpation-
1. With the client seated or supine and the forearm flexed at the elbow joint to 90
degrees and in a position halfway between full pronation and full supination, place
palpating hand on the lateral anterior forearm.
2. Resist the client from further flexing the forearm and look and feel for the
contraction of the brachioradialis.
3. Continue palpating the brachioradialis proximally toward the lateral supracondylar
ridge of the humerus and distally toward the styloid process of the radius.
Triceps brachii origin, insertion, innervation, action, palpation
Origin-
Long Head Origin: Infraglenoid Tubercle
Lateral Head Origin: lateral, posterior humerus (superior to radial groove) UPPER LATERAL
Medial Head Origin: Rest of posterior surface of humerus (inferior to radial groove) LOWER MEDIAL
Insertion- Olecranon Process of Ulna
Innervation- Radial Nerve
Action-
Palpation-
1. With the client seated, place palpating hand on the distal, posterior arm, just
proximal to the olecranon process of the ulna.
2. Have the client extend the forearm at the elbow joint against resistance and feel for
the contraction of the triceps brachii.
3. Continue palpating the triceps brachii proximally toward the infraglenoid tubercle
of the scapula, deep to the posterior deltoid.