Human skeletal muscle groups

Depending on the location and functions in the human body, the following main groups of skeletal muscles are distinguished:

• Muscles of the head: chewing and facial muscles.

1. The chewing muscles move the lower jaw. On the one hand, they are attached to the bones of the skull, and on the other, to the lower jaw.
2. Mimic muscles open and close the mouth and eyes, change facial expression, and are responsible for speech articulation. Typically, the facial muscles are attached at one end to the skin and the other to the bones of the skull. But the circular muscles of the eyes and mouth attach only to the skin.

• The neck muscles support and set in motion the neck and head, lower the lower jaw.
• The muscles of the back are responsible for maintaining an upright body position. Also, with their help, movements of the head and neck, shoulder blades and arms are carried out (the arms are raised and lowered), as well as the ribs when breathing.
• The muscles of the chest are involved in the movement of the bones of the shoulder girdle and arms, ribs during breathing.
• The muscles of the abdomen provide rotations and tilts of the body, participate in respiratory movements. This muscle group also includes the diaphragm, which separates the chest and abdominal cavities and participates in respiratory movements. The abdominal muscles also have a protective function.
• The muscles of the shoulder girdle and arms set in motion the upper limb and its sections, provide the most complex movements and the accuracy of their movements.
• The muscles of the pelvic girdle and legs set in motion the lower limb and its sections. The movement of the hip is provided by the pelvic muscles and the thigh muscles. The thigh muscles are involved in the movements of the lower leg, and the muscles of the lower leg are involved in the movements of the foot. The muscles in the foot provide flexion and extension of the toes.