Myology

• Defn: the study of structural and functional

organization of muscle tissue
 Muscular system

• The muscular system comprises muscle cells

(fibers) adopted to contract when stimulated by
nerve impulses

• There are three types of muscles

– Skeletal
– Cardiac
– smooth
 Basic properties/characterstics of muscle tissue

• Irritability/excitability:- sensitive to both

internal and external stimuli

• Contractility:- responds to stimuli by contracting

• Extensibility:- ability to be stretched

 Functions of muscle

• Motion
– Whole body
– Localized movement
– Less noticeable movements

• Maintains posture

• Heat production
 Classification of muscles
• Morphological classification (based on
structure)
• Striated (striped)
–Skeletal muscle
–Cardiac muscle

• Non-striated or smooth
–Smooth muscle
 Functional classification
• Involuntary
– Cardiac muscle
– Smooth muscle

• Voluntary
– Skeletal muscle
• Movement from one place to another,
movement of one part in relation to the
other and maintenance of posture
 According to the direction of fibers

Parallel or fusiform: as their name implies

their fibers are long and run parallel to each
other

These muscles contract over a great

distance and usually have good endurance
but are not very strong

Examples: Sartorius muscle and rectus

abdominus muscle
• Pennate muscles- their fibers are short and are
oblique to the line of pull
– Examples: Deltoideus muscle, gastrocnemius
muscle
• Circular: the muscle fibers surrounded natural
opening to act as a sphincter
-Examples: Orbicularis oris and Orbicularis
oculi muscles
• Spiral muscles-the fibers are arranged in a
twisted manner
– Examples: Brachialis
 Muscle attachment

• Flesh attachments: direct attachment of

muscles to bone
• E.g. scapular muscle

• In reality, they attach to the periosteum of

the bone by very short tendons

• Tendinous attachment: dense connective

tissue connecting spindle shaped or pinnate
muscle to the bone
• E.g. Biceps brachii
• Aponeurotic attachment: the flat, tendineous
sheets associated with flat muscle such as
those of the abdominal wall
– E.g. Abdominal muscles
 Organization of the muscle fibers
• Epimysium – connective tissue which
ensheaths the entire muscles
– It is continuous with fascia and other
connective tissue and wrappings of muscle
including the endomysium and perimysium
– It is also continuous with tendons where it
becomes thicker and collagenous
– The Epimysium also protects muscles from
friction against other muscles and bones
• Perimysium–
connective tissue
surrounding each
bundle of muscle
fibers (a fascicle)
• Endomysium– connective tissue surrounding
each individual muscle fiber

• Fasciculi- a small bundle or cluster of muscle

fibers

Fascia: A sheet or band of fibrous connective

tissue enveloping, separating, or binding
together muscles, organs, and other soft
structures of the body
Deep fascia
Superficial fascia
 Muscle action
• Extension- increase in the angle between bones

• Flexion- decrease the angle between bones

• Adduction- movement of a limb towards the median

plain

• Abduction- movement of the limb away from the

median plane

• Rotation- movement of a part around its long axis

 Muscles parts

Body/belly/ Gaster– main fleshy portion of a muscle

Origin: a tendinous connection of the muscle to a bone,

usually the bone that is stabilized and
more proximal and less movable attachment of a
muscle end

Insertion: a tendinous connection of the muscle to a

bone, usually the bone to be moved
usually more distal and more movable attachment of
a muscle

Tendon – connective tissue which attaches muscle to

bone
 Naming of muscle
• Shape:- trapezius , triceps, biceps etc

• Location:- pectoralis, intercostal, brachium etc

• Attachment:- temporalis, zygomatic, nasalis etc

• Size:- maximus, longus etc

• Orientation of fibers:- rectus, transverse, oblique etc

• Relative position:- lateral, medial, internal and external

• Function:- adductor, flexor, extensor, levator etc

 Muscles of the head
Muscles of mastication

• Masseter
– O: Ventral border of the rostral half of the
zygomatic arch

– I: Ventrolateral surface of the mandible and

ventral margin of the masseteric fossa of the
mandible

– A: Raises the mandible in closing the mouth

• Temporalis
– O: Parietal, temporal, frontal and occipital
bones.

– I: Medial surface of the condyle of the

mandible just ventral to its articular surface

– A: Raises the mandible

 Muscles of the neck and chest
• Brachiocephalic muscle

– Two parts separated by the clavicle where it exists

– Origin: occipital bone, nuchal ligament, mastoid process

– Insertion: deltoid tuberosity and fascia of limb

– Actions: advances the limb and extends the shoulder joint

when limb is in motion
• draws head and neck ventrally when limb is fixed
• Bilateral flection/fixation of the neck
• Trapezius muscle
– Body: has two parts, cervical and thoracic separated
by aponeurosis

– Origin: Median fibrous raphe of the neck- third

cervical (cervical part) and the supraspinous ligament
of the thorax (thoracic part)-T3-8 or 9

– Insertion: spine of the scapula

– Action: Elevation of the shoulder and draws it

forward or backward
(C1 and C2) Trapezius (A ) Brachiocephalic
• Omotransversarius
muscle

– Origin: transverse
processes of the atlas

– Insertion: acromion (B) Omotransversarius (D) Latissimus dorsi

and spine of scapula

– Action: advancing the

limb
 Latissimus dorsi muscle-
 The broadest muscle of the
thorax

Origin: thoracolumbar
fascia

Insertion: teres tuberosity

of the humerus

Actions:
Retracts free limb and
flexes shoulder joint

Draws trunk forward

over the fixed limb
(A) omotransversarius muscle
• Serratis ventralis muscle
– Origin:
• cervical part- transverse
process of C3-7
• Thoracic part- Ribs1-7or8

– Insertion: medial scapula and

scapular cartilage

– Action: supporting the weight of

*serratus ventralis
the trunk
• cervical portion can retract
the limb
• caudal portion can advance
the limb
• Rhomboids muscle
– Origin: nuchal ligament

– Insertion: dorsal border

and adjacent scapula

– Action: retracting the limb,

may also raise limb

– Three portions : C1 -
rhomboideus capitis muscle, (C1, C2 and C3) rhomboideus
C2 -rhomboideus cervicis
muscle; and C3 -
rhomboideus thoracis
muscle
• Superficial Pectoral muscle
– Two superficial parts, cranial and
caudal, these aren’t very distinct in
the ox

– Origin: cranial sternum

– Insertion: cranial (descending):

crest of the humerus distal to the
deltoid tuberosity

• caudal (transverse): covers

elbow joint to insert on the
medial fascia of the forearm (A)cranial (descending)
(B) caudal (transverse)

– Action: adduct the forelimb, assist

in protraction and retraction
• Pectoralis profundus muscle :
with cranial and caudal parts
– Origin: ventral sternum and
adjacent cartilage
– Insertions:
• cranial(subclavius):
supraspinatus m.
• caudal (pectoralis
ascendens): lesser tubercle
of the humerus
– Actions:
• slinging trunk between
forelimbs

• may also retract free limbs (C) Pectoralis profundus muscle

• draw trunk forward when

limb is fixed
 Muscles of the shoulder
 Intrinsic musculature

 Lateral shoulder muscles

 Supraspinatus muscle

Origin: Entire surface of the

supraspinous fossa, including
the spine

Insertion: Greater and lesser

tubercle of the humerus
supraspinatus muscle (C)

Action: stabilize and extend the

shoulder joint
• Infraspinatus muscle

– Origin: Infraspinous fossa,

scapular spine and the caudal
border of the scapula

– Insertion: Distal to the greater

tubercle of the humerus

– Action: stabilize, flexor or

extensor of the shoulder joint,
depending on the position of
the joint when the muscle infraspinatus muscle (B)
contracts
• Deltoids muscle
– Origin: Acromial process and spine of the
scapula

• In the dog, the deltoideus muscle is made

up of two heads (A1, A2)

• Scapular part-spine of scapula

• Acromial part (absent in horse and pig)

– Insertion: deltoid tuberosity of the humerus

– Action: Flexion of the shoulder joint, lifting

of the humerus
deltoideus muscles (A1, A2)
• Teres minor muscle

– Origin: caudal border of the

scapula

– Insertion: teres minor

tuberosity of the humerus

– Action: Flexion of the shoulder

joint

teres minor muscle (A)

 Medial shoulder muscles

• Subscapularis muscle

• Origin: Subscapular fossa

• Insertion: Lesser tubercle

of the humerus

• Action: adduct and extend

the shoulder joint
(C) Subscapularis
• Teres major muscle

– Origin: Caudal angle

and adjacent caudal edge
of the scapula

– Insertion: Teres major

tuberosity of the
humerus

– Action: Flexion of the (D) teres major

shoulder joint
 Caudolateral brachial muscles
• Triceps brachii muscle
– Origin:
• Long head: caudal border of
the scapula

• Lateral, medial and

accessory heads: shaft of the
humerus

– Accessory head is absent

in horse
triceps brachii muscle
– Insertion: Olecranon of the ulna long head (A)
lateral head( B)

– Action: Extension of the elbow

joint
 Midial brachial muscles

• Tensor fasciae antebrachii

 Origin: lateral surface

of the latissimus dorsi

– Insertion: Olecranon
and antebbrachial fascia

– Action: extend the tensor fasciae antebrachii muscle (B)

elbow joint
Anconeus muscle

Origin: Lateral
epicondylar crest, the
lateral epicondyle and the
olecranon fossa

Insertion: olecranon
long head of the triceps brachii muscle (A)
medial head (C)
Action: Extends the elbow biceps brachii muscle (D)
and tenses the antebrachial
fascia
 Cranial brachial muscles

• Biceps brachii
– Origin: supraglenoid
tubercle of the scapula

– Insertion: radial tuberosity

– Action: Flexion of the

elbow joint and extend
shoulder
biceps brachii muscle (F)
• Brachialis muscle

– Origin: Brachial groove

of the humerus

– Insertion: Radius

– Action: flex the shoulder

joint
brachialis muscle (E)
• Coracobrachialis
– Origin: Coracoid process
of the scapula

– Insertion: Crest of the

lesser tubercle of the
humerus

– Action: flex the shoulder

joint
accessory head of triceps barachii (C)
 Dorsolateral antebrachial muscles
• Extensors of the carpus and digits and
supinators of the paw

• Origin: Almost all originate from the

lateral epicondyle of the humerus

• Extensor carpi radialis muscle: the largest

extensor muscle

– Insertion: on 2nd/3rd metacarpal bone

– Action: It extends the carpus and flexes

the elbow
(A) extensor carpi radialis
(B) common digital extensor
• Common Digital Extensor

– Insertion: dorsal portion

of the third phalanges

– Action: extensor of the

distal phalanx of each digit
• Extensor carpi ulnaris

• Inseistal : distal
phalages
• Lateral Digital Extensor

– Insertion: middle phalanges

– Action: Extend the digits

and carpus

(E) flexor carpi ulnaris

(C) lateral digital extensor
(D) ulnaris lateralis
• Ulnaris lateralis: most caudal
extensor muscle

– Insertion: on accessory
carpal bone

– Action: flex carpal joint

 Caudal antebrachial muscles
• Caudal position on the forearm and are
flexors of the carpus and digit

• Originate from the caudo-medial

epicondyle of the humerus

(A) extensor carpi radialis

• Flexor carpi radialis: most medial
(H) pronator teres muscle
(G) flexor carpi radialis
– Insertion: on upper 2nd/3rd
(E2) flexor carpi ulnaris
metacarpal bone
(E) flexor carpi ulnaris
• Flexor carpi ulnaris: most lateral

– Insertion: on the accessory carpal

bone
• Superficial Digital Flexor
(SDF)

– Insertion: palmar surface

of middle phalanges

– SDF rupture-dropped
fetlock, toe on ground
(J) deep digital flexor
(F) superficial digital flexor
• Deep Digital Flexor (DDF)

– Insertion: distal phalanges

– DDF rupture-toe off ground,

fetlock dropped

• SDF+ DDF+ suspensory ligament-

fetlock on ground , toe on air
 Muscles of the Thoracic Trunk

• Serratus Dorsalis Caudalis

O: Thoracolumbar fascia.
I: Caudal border of the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth ribs.
A: Lift the ribs for inspiration

• Serratus Dorsalis Cranialis

O: The thoracolumbar fascia and spines of the first six to eighth
thoracic vertebra
I: Craial border and lateral surfaces of ribs two to ten
A: Lift the ribs for inspiration
Longissimus Thoracis

O: Illiac crest to the last cervical vertebrae

I: All thoracic ribs

A: Extension of the vertebral column

 Raising of the cranial portion of the body from the pelvis,
sacrum, and loin; in conjunction with the other muscles
 fixation of the vertebral column
 deflection of the back by fixation of the cervicothoracic
junction
 sudden raising of the caudal portion of the body; which is
initiated by means of the rear extremities
Intercostalis Externi
 O: Caudal border of each rib
 I: Run caudoventrally to the cranial border of the next rib
 A: Draws the ribs together

Intercostalis Interni
• O: Thoracic vertebral column
• I: Distal ends of the ribs
• A: Draws the ribs together

Intercartilaginei Externi
• O: Unseparated continuations of the intercostales externi
• I: Interchondral spaces
• A: Draws the ribs together
Intercartilaginei Interni
• O: Continuation of the intercostalis interni
• I: Bridges several ribs
• A: Draws the ribs together

Subcostalis
• O: Beneath the internal intercostal muscles at the vertebral ends of
the ribs
• I: Bridges several ribs
• A: Draws the ribs together
 Muscles of the Lumbar Trunk
Longissimus Lumborum
• O: Iliac crest and ventral surface of the ilium and spinous
processes and supraspinous ligament

• I: Ends on accessory processes of the sixth to first lumbar

vertebrae

• A: Extension of the vertebral column

– Raising of the cranial portion of the body from the pelvis, sacrum, and loin;
in conjunction with the other muscles,
– Fixation of the vertebral column; deflection of the back by fixation of the
cervicothoracic junction;
– Sudden raising of the caudal portion of the body; which is initiated by
means of the rear extremities
Iliocostalis Lumborum
• O: Pelvic surface of the wing of the ilium, iliac crest and
intermuscular septum

• I: Tenth through thirteenth ribs

• A: Fixation of the vertebral column or lateral movement when

only one side contracts;

– aids in expiration by pulling the ribs caudally

 Muscles of Inspiration
Levatores Costarum
• O: Transverse processes of the first through twelfth thoracic
vertebrae
• I: Cranial borders of the second through twelfth ribs
• A: Inspiration

Rectus Thoracis
• O: First rib, opposite the most ventral portion of the scalenus
muscle
• I: Ventral ends of the second through fourth ribs
• A: Inspiration
Diaphragm
• O: Ventral bodies of the second through fourth lumbar vertebrae
via the diaphragmatic tendon
• I: Costal arch of the rib cage
• A: Inspiration

Scalenus
• O: Cranial border of the first rib
• I: Transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebra and wing
like process of the sixth cervical vertebra
• A: Draws the neck downward. In unilateral action, to bend the
neck sideward when the neck is fixed, the supracostal part can act
in inspiration
Serratus Ventralis
• O: Facies serrata of the scapula

• I: Transverse processes of the last five ervicalertebrae

and on the first seven or eight ribs

• A: Support of the trunk, to carry the trunk forward and

backward; inspiration; to carry the shoulder forward and
ackward with respect to the limb
 Muscles of Expiration
Transversus Thoracis
• O: By an aponeurosis on the lateral internal surface of the
sternum, from the second sternebra to the caudal end of the
xiphoid process

• I: Second through seventh costal cartilages

• A: Expiration
Obliquus Externus Abdominis (Pars Costalis)

• O: From the middle parts of the fourth to twelfth ribs and the
adjacent trunk fascia

• I: Pubic symphyses and xiphoid process via the linea alba

• A: Along with other abdominal muscles, compression of the

abdominal viscera; this action, known as abdominal press, aids in
such vital functions as expiration, urination, defecation, and
parturition
– Flexion of the vertebral column when fellow muscles contract.
Lateral bending of the vertebral Column
Obliquus Externus Abdominis (Pars Lumbalis)

• O: Last rib

• I: Into twelfth rib

• A: Along with other abdominal muscles, compression of the

abdominal viscera; This action, known as abdominal press, aids in
such vital functions as expiration, urination, defecation, and
parturition

– Flexion of the vertebral column when fellow muscles contract

– Lateral bending of the vertebral column

Rectus Abdominis
• O: From the sternum and costal cartilage

• I: Unites with the tendon of origin of the pectineus muscle and the
prepubic tendon

• A: Along with other abdominal muscles, compression of the

abdominal Viscera
– This action, known as abdominal press, aids in such vital
functions as expiration, urination, defecation, and parturition

– Flexion of the vertebral column when fellow muscles contract.

Lateral bending of the vertebral column
Iliocostalis Lumborum

• O: Pelvic surface of the wing of the ilium, iliac crest and

intermuscular septum

• I: Tenth through thirteenth ribs

• A: Fixation of the vertebral column or lateral movement when

only one side contracts; aids in expiration by pulling the ribs
caudally
 Muscles of the Abdominal Wall
Obliquus Externus Abdominis (Pars Lumbalis)

• O: few of the last rib, thoracolumbar fasciae

• I: Into twelfth rib, paramedian sheath and linea alba

• A: Along with other abdominal muscles, compression of the abdominal viscera;

This action, known as abdominal press, aids in such vital functions as
expiration, urination, defecation, and parturition

– Flexion of the vertebral column when fellow muscles contract

– Lateral bending of the vertebral column

Obliquus Internus Abdominus
• O: Tuber coxae
• I: Thirteenth rib and cartilage of the twelfth rib
• A: Compression and support of the abdominal viscera

Transverse Abdominus
• O: Eighth costal cartilage, last lumbar transverse process and tuber
coxae
• I: On the inner surface of the rectus abdominus (linea alba)
• A: Compression and support of the abdominal viscera
Rectus Abdominis
• O: From the sternum and costal cartilage

• I: Unites with the tendon of origin of the pectineus muscle and the
prepubic tendon, and linea alba

• A: Along with other abdominal muscles, compression of the

abdominal Viscera
– This action, known as abdominal press, aids in such vital
functions as expiration, urination, defecation, and parturition

– Flexion of the vertebral column when fellow muscles contract.

Lateral bending of the vertebral column
 Sublumbar muscles

• Psoas minor • Psoas major

– Origin: vertebrae T13- – Origin: Lumbare

L5 vertebrae

– Insertion: hip bone – Insertion: Lesser

(body of ilium) trochanter of the femur

– Action: stabilize the – Action: flex hip and

back outwardly rotate thigh
• Iliacus • Quadratus lumborum
– Origin: wing of ilium – Origin: transverse
process of lumbar
– Insertion: Lesser vertebrae
trochanter of the femur
– Insertion: wing of
– Action: flex the hip and sacrum and ilium
outwardly rotate the
thigh – Action: stabilize the
lumbar vertebrae
 Rump muscles

• All the rump muscles originate from the

ilium and insert on the femur
• Superficial Gluteal /Gluteus
Superficialis
– Origin – gluteal fascia, lateral
aspect of sacrum, sacral tuber of
ilium, first caudal vertebra and
the sacrotuberous ligament
– Insertion – third trochanter

– Action: Extension and

abduction of the hip joint (E) superficial gluteal

– Absent in ruminants
• Middle Gluteal

– Origin – the iliac crest and

gluteal line of the ilium

– Insertion–Greater trochanter
of the femur

– Action: Extension and

abduction of the hip joint
(D) middle gluteal
 Gluteus Profundus/ deep
gluteal

Origin: Shaft of the

ilium near the ischiatic
spine

Insertion: Greater
trochanter of the femur
deep gluteal (E)

Action: Extension of the

hip and abduction
 Tensor fascia lata muscle

Origin: tuber coxae

Insertion – via the fascia lata

to the patella

Action: Tension of the fascia

lata and thus flex the hip
joint; extension of the stifle
joint
(B) tensor fasciae lata (C) fasciae lata
 Caudal muscles of the thigh

• Biceps Femoris

– Origion: lateral part of the

ischial tuberosity

– Insertion: Tibial tuberosity,

tibial crest, medial
tuberosity of the tuber
calcanei via the calcaneal
tendon

– Action: extend hip, stifle

and tarsus, it also flex stifle (F) Biceps femoris muscle
• Abductor Cruris Caudalis/ caudal crural abdactor

– Origion: aponeurosis of deep surface of biceps

femoris

– Insertion: Crural fascia

– Action: it abducts the limb and flexes the stifle

– Present in carnivores only

• Semitendinosus

– Origin – caudal part of ischial

tuberosity

– Insertion – tibia and calcaneal

tuberosity

– Action: Extension of the hip and

tarsal joints, flexion of the stifles
joint in the free non-weight-
bearing limb

semitendinosis muscle (G)

 Medial muscles of the thigh
• Sartorius muscle

– Origin: lateral wing of ilium

and the iliac crest as well as
from the lumbodorsal fascia

– Insertion: medial side of the

stifle

– Action: flex the hip and stifle

(A) Sartorius muscle

• Gracilis muscle

– Origin: Pubic symphysis via the

symphysial tendon

– Insertion: Entire length of the

medial border of the tibia

– Action: Adduction of the thigh,

extension of the hip joint and
A) biceps femoris B) Semitendinosis
extension of the hock
(D) gracillis muscle (C) Semimembranosis
• Pectineus muscle

– Origin: prepubic tendon and

from the abdominal muscles
that join this tendon, it also
stifle (C)
has a fleshy origin on the
iliopubic eminence and
Gracilis (D)
cartilage
Pectineus (F)

– Insertion: shaft of femur

cranial (A) and caudal (B) heads of the sartorius muscle
– Action: Adduction of the
thigh and flex the hip
• Adductor muscle

– Origin: Pubic tubercle

– Insertion: Lateral lip of the

femur near the third trochanter

– Action: abductor of the limb

Adductor (E)
• Semimembranosus
– Origin: medial part of ischieal
tuberosity
– Insertion: medial condyle of
the femur and tibia
– Action: Extends the hip when
the foot is placed on a solid
substrate and can flex the stifle
and contribute to hip extension
A. gracilis muscle
B. Pectineus muscle
C. Adductor muscle
D. Semimembranosis muscle
E. Semitendinosis muscle
F. Vastus medialis muscle
G&H, Cranial & caudal heads of the
Sartorius
 Cranial muscles of the thigh

• Quadraceps Femoris
Sartorius (A)

tensor fasciae lata (B)

• Rectus Femoris
middle gluteal (C)

superficial gluteal (D)

– Origin: Iliopubic eminence of

the ilium

– Insertion: Tibial tuberosity

– Action: Extension of the stifle

joint and tension of the fascia
cruris
• Vastus Lateralis

– Origin: the proximal femur

– Insertion: Tibial tuberosity

– Action: Extension of the stifle

joint and tension of the fascia
cruris

biceps femoris (E) vastus lateralis (F)

Semitendinosis (H)
• Vastus Medialis

– Origin: Proximal femur

– Insertion: Tibial tuberosity

– Action: Extension of the stifle

joint and tension of the fascia
cruris

Sartorius (A)

Biceps femoris (B)

Vastus lateralis (C)

 Vastus Intermedius

Origin: From the vastus

lateralis which covers it and
also from the lateral part of the
proximal femur

Insertion: Tibial tuberosity

Action: Extension of the stifle Rectus femoris (D)

joint and tension of the fascia
cruris Vastus intermedius (E)

Vastus medialis (F)

 Craniolateral muscles of the crus

• Tibialis cranialis/cranial
tibial muscle

– Origin: proximal tibia

– Insertion: curves
medially at the tarsus to
insert on the plantar
surface of the metatarsus

– Action: Flexion of the

cranial tibial muscle (A)
tarsus
• Extensor digitorum longus/
long digital extensor

– Origin: It arises in the

extensor fossa of the femur

– Insertion: branches in the

metatarsus to insert at
distal phalanx of digits

– Action: Extension of the

stifle and digits; flexion of
the tarsus
long digital extensor muscle (B)
• Peroneus Longus/long
fibular muscle

– Origin: Lateral collateral

ligament of the stifle joint

– Insertion: tarsal and/or on

the plantar surfaces of all
of the metatarsals

– Action: flexion of the

tarsus

– Absent in horse peroneus longus muscle (C)

• Peroneus tertius/third fibular
muscle

– Origin: Extensor fossa of the

femur

– Insertion: Proximal end of

metatarsal bones

– Action: extend the stifle and

flex the tarsal joint
– Absent in carnivores
• Lateral digital extensor

– Origin: Proximal third of

the fibula

– Insertion: Lateral digit

– Action: Extension of digit

and flexion of tarsus

lateral digital extensor muscle

 Caudal muscles of the crus

• Gastrocnemius muscle

– Origin: Lateral head arises by a large

tendon of the lateral supracondylar
tuberosity of the femur

– The medial head arises on the medial

supracondylar tuberosity of the femur

– Insertion: Via the calcaneal tendon to

the tuber calcanei

– Action: Primarily extends the tarsal

joint; slight flexion of the stifle joint
gastrocnemius muscle (E)
• Flexor digitorum superficialis/
superficial digital flexor

– Origin: Lateral supracondylar

tuberosity of the femur and
the lateral sesamoid

– Insertion: the tuber calcanei

and middle phalanges

– Action: Flexion of the stifle

and the digits, extension and
extention of the tarsus
superficial digital flexor muscle (F)
• Deep digital flexor

– Origin: head of the tibia

and fibula

– Insertion: Base of the

distal phalanges

– Action: Flexion of the

digits
cranial tibial muscle (A)
superficial digital flexor muscle (B)
gastrocnemius muscle (C)
deep digital flexor muscle (D)
stifle (E)
• Popliteus muscle

– Origin: the lateral condyle

of the femur

– Insertion: Proximal third

of the medial border of the
tibia

– Action: Flexion of the

stifle

popliteus muscle (F)

• The end