Muscles

Gracilis

The Gracilis is found in the inner thigh. It originates from the pubis and ischium. The insertion is into the proximal end of the tibia. It adducts the thigh and it must be cut in order to see all of the deeper muscles below it.

Sartorius

The Sartorius is found next to the Vastus Medialis on the inner thigh. It is a very thin muscle making it hard to find. It originates at the pelvis iliac spine and its insertion is at the proximal end of the tibia. The action of this muscles is to adduct the thing and extend the shank.

Vastus Medialis

The Vastus medialis can only be found from the medial view. It originates at the head of the femur. It’s insertion is with the Vastus laterals and the Rectus femoris. The action of this muscle is to extend the shank.

Rectus Femoris

The Rectus femoris is thick and can be seen in both the lateral view and medial view of the thigh. It originates from the ilium and inserts in the upper border of the patella with the Vastus lateralis. This muscle extends the shank.

Semimembranous

The Semimembranosus is deeper than the Gracilis and able to be seen once the Gracilis is cut. It originates from the Ischium. The insertions of this muscle is at the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the patella and it extend the thigh.

Semitendinosus

The Semitendinousus is located under the Semimembranous. It is a smaller muscle width wise. The Semimembranous must be pushed back in order to see the muscle. The origin of the Semitendinous is the first caudal vertebrae and the ilium and the insertion of the muscle is into the upper end of the tibia. The Semitendinousus is used to flex the shank.

Tensor Fasciae Latae

The Tensor Fasciae Latae is located where the hip attaches to the abdomen. The origin of the muscle is the ilium and the insertion is into the fascia latte. The Tensor Fasciae Latae's job is to tighten the fascia late and extend the leg.

Gluteus Medius

The Gluteus Medius is located the Tensor Fasciae Latae. The Gluteus Medius's origin is the lumbar dorsal fascia and the fascia of the hip. The insertion of the muscle is into the proximal end of the femur. The purpose of this muscle is to abduct the thigh.

Vastus Lateralis

The Vastus Laterals is located next to the Gluteus Medius. The Vastus Laterals extends the shank. The origin of the muscle is the head of the femur and goes into the patella.

Biceps Femoris

The Biceps Femoris is best seen from a side view of the pig. It is located near the hip joint. It is a large width muscle and the top layer. The origin of the Biceps Femoris the ischium and the insertion is urge lower end of the femur and the upper part of the tibia. This muscle abducts the thigh and flexes the shank.

Adductor Magnus

The adductor magnus can be identified using the Gracilis as a reference point. Once you cut the gracilis you will see three muscles. There will be a big muscle and two smaller ones. The adductor magnus is the smaller muscle closest to the larger muscle (semi membranous). The origin of the adductor magnus is the pubis and the ischium and the insertion is at the distal end of the femur. This muscle is used to adduct hind limbs.

Gastronemius

The Gastronemuis is most posterior on the shank of the pig. This muscle extends the foot and originates at the distal end of the femur and inserts by the tendon of the chillies to the calcaneus.

Extensor Digitorum Longus

The Extensor Digitorum Longus is located to the right of the Gastronemius. The origin of the muscle is the proximal end of the tibia and fibula and the insertion is at the metatarsals. This muscles job is to extend the digits.

Fibularis

The Fibularis is located in the shank to the right of the Extensor Digitorum Longus. The purpose of the Fibularis is to flex the foot and the ankle. The origin of the muscle is the distal end of the femur and the insertion is located at the third metatarsal.

Tibialis Anterior

The Tibialis Anterior is the most medial muscle on the shank. It is used to extend the foot. It originates at the proximal end of the tibia and fibula and ends upon the second metatarsal.

Pectoralis Major

The Pectoralis Major is located in the chest of the pig. It originates at the sternum of the pig and continues to the proximal end of the humerus. The purpose of the muscle is to adduct the forelimb to the chest. The Pectoralis Major is a large muscle.

Triceps Brachii

The Triceps Brachii is located in the upper forelimb. It is used to extend the forelimb. The muscle is located right next to the Biceps Brachii. The muscle begins at the upper end of the humerus and continues on to the olecranon process of the ulna.

Biceps Brachii

The Biceps Brachii is located next to the Triceps Brachii in the upper forelimb of the pig. The muscle originates in the gleaned area and ends at the radius. Flexing the forelimb is the action performed by the Biceps Brachii.

Trapezius

The Trapezius is near the spine of the pig and wraps ventrally around its side. located The origin of the muscle is the occipital bone as well as the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae and the intersection is the spine of the scapula. The muscles job is to draw the scapula medially.

Latissimus Dorsi

The Latissimus Dorsi originates at the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae and continues to the proximal end of the humerus on the medial face. The Latissimus Dorsi is located on the side of the pig near the trapezius.

Brachiocephalic

The Brachioceohlic muscle is located in the neck of the pig. It originates on the mastoid process of the occipital bone and ends on the distal end of the humerus. The purpose of the Brachiocephalic is to flex the foreleg anteriorly.

Extensor Capri Radialis

The Extensor Capri Radials is located in the lower forelimb of the pig. It begins at the distal end of the humerus and ends at the distal end of the radius. The purpose of the Extensor Capri Radials is to rotate the foot.

Extensor Capri Ulnaris

The Extensor Capri Ulnaris is located just below the Extensor Capri Radials in the lower forelimb. Its origin is located on the lateral portion of the distal end of the humerus and the insertion of the muscle is into a long thin tendon into the fifth metacarpal. The purpose of the muscle is to extend the wrist.

Extensor Digitorum Communis

The job of the Extensor Digitorum Communis is to extend the digits. It is located in the lower forelimb where it originates on the lateral surface of the distal end of the humerus and ends in dividing tendons into the digits.

Brachioradiallis

The Brachioradiallis is best seen ventrally. It is located in the lower forelimb and its purpose is to rotate the forelimb. The origin of the muscle is on the humerus and †he insertion is on the lower part of the radius.

Extensor Digitorum Lateralis

The Extensor digitorum lateralis is next to the Extensor digitorum communis. When locating these muscles, it’s best to find the break that is located going down the forearm. The break is what separates the Extensor digitorum communis and the Extensor digitorum lateralis. The origin of this muscle is the lateral surface of the distal end of the humerus. The insertion is at the digits and the action of this muscle is to extend the digits.

Deltoid

The deltoid is a superficial muscle that cover most of the scapula region. It is hard to find since it is under developed in the fetal pig. This muscle originates at the aponeuroses covering the infraspinous muscle, its insertion is at the deltoid ridge of the humerus. It flexes the humerus.

Splenius

The Splenius is located anterior to the Rhomboideus Cervicis, it is much larger and wider and is found under the cervicis. This muscle originates at the cervical ligament on the mid-dorsal line of neck. Its insertion is the dorsal portion of the Occipital bone and it raises the head.

Rhomboideus Cervicis and Rhomboideus Capitis

The Rhomboideus Capitis is a muscle lateral to the Rhomboideus Cervicis, located on the upper spine. This muscle helps moving the scapula. Its origin is the occipital bone, and the spine of the scapula, it’s insertions. This muscle moves the scapula medially and dorsally. The Rhomboideus Cervicis is the most medial and elevates the forelimb. It originates at the 2nd cervical and the 1st 6 thoracic vertebrae. It’s insertion is at theoretical border of the scapula and it draws the scapula forward.

Sternomastoideus

The sternomastoideus is located laterally and it helps to flex and rotate the head. Its origin is at the sternum and its insertion is into the lateral aspect of the occipital and mastoid processes.

Masseter Muscle

The master muscle lies on the cheek of the pig. It helps to open and close the jaw helping the pig chew food. This muscle originates at the Zygomatic and inserts into the mandible.

Sternothyoid

The sternothroideus is deep to the sternohyoideus and is a very skinny muscle. Its origin is at the sternum, this muscle has two points of insertion, the lateral and ventral surfaces of thyroid cartilage. This muscle moves the larynx posteriorly.

Sternohyoid

The sternohyoideus is found in the front part of the pigs neck. It originates at the first coastal cartilage and inserts into the hyoid posteriorly. The action of this muscle is to move the hyoid posteriorly.

Actomiododeltioid

The acromiodeltoid is a flap of muscle that covers the anterior end of the shoulder, covering the infraspinatus and supraspinatus along with the spinodeltoid. The origin of the acromiodeltoid is from the sternum at its cranial end. This muscle inserts into the aponeurosis at the dorsal end of the supraspinatus. the action of this muscle is adduction of the hind limb.