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Superficial muscles are the most external muscles of the body, giving it its contour. They are the most visible muscles, and bodybuilders will spend time exercising them to make sure they look right. Examples of superficial muscles include the deltoid, the pectoralis major, and the trapezius. The deltoid is the largest and strongest muscle of the shoulder, originating in three portions: anterior, middle, and posterior. The pectoralis major provides movement and support to the front of the shoulder and has two heads: the clavicular head and the sternocostal head. The trapezius muscle is a powerful elevator of the shoulder and is considered a superficial muscle of the back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Most visible muscles that give the body its contour |
| Examples | Pectoralis Major, Deltoid, Trapezius, Platysma, Sternocleidomastoid |
| Location | External most muscle |
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What You'll Learn
Superficial muscles are the most visible
The pectoralis major is a superficial muscle that provides movement and support to the front of the shoulder. It has two heads: the clavicular head, which originates from the midline half of the clavicle, and the sternocostal head, which originates from the manubrium and sternum (chest bone). When the two heads of the pectoralis major act together, they flex, adduct and medially rotate the arm at the glenohumeral joint.
The trapezius muscle is another example of a superficial muscle. It is a powerful elevator of the shoulder and also rotates the scapula to extend reach upwards. It has an extensive origin, which includes the back of the skull and most of the vertebrae of the spine. It inserts into the clavicle, acromion, and crest of the spine of the scapula.
The deltoid muscle is the largest and strongest muscle of the shoulder. It originates in three portions: anterior, middle, and posterior. These three portions come together and insert into the deltoid tuberosity on the shaft of the humerus. Each portion has a different action on the body. For example, the anterior portion flexes and medially rotates the arm, while the posterior portion extends and laterally rotates it.
Other examples of superficial muscles include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid in the neck, and the latissimus dorsi in the back.
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The pectoralis major
Superficial muscles are the most visible muscles and are those that give the body its contour. The pectoralis major is a superficial muscle and is the largest muscle in the chest area. Colloquially, it is referred to as the "pecs", "pectoral muscle", or "chest muscle". It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue in females and a deep layer of fascia, subcutaneous tissue, and the adjacent skin in males. It forms the anterior wall of the axilla and covers the pectoralis minor and serratus anterior muscles, as well as the anterior surface of the upper six ribs.
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The trapezius muscle
Superficial muscles are the most visible muscles in the body, and bodybuilders often focus on these to ensure they look right. The trapezius muscle is one such superficial muscle.
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The deltoid muscle
Superficial muscles are the most visible muscles in the body. They are the external muscles that give the body its contour. The deltoid muscle is a superficial muscle that forms the rounded contour of the human shoulder. It is also known as the 'common shoulder muscle'. The deltoid is the largest and strongest muscle of the shoulder. It originates in three portions: the anterior, middle, and posterior. These three portions come together and insert into the deltoid tuberosity on the shaft of the humerus.
The anterior portion arises from the anterior border and superior surface of the clavicle. The function of this portion is flexion, internal rotation, and horizontal adduction. To stretch this muscle, perform the reverse action by extension, external rotation, and horizontal abduction. The middle portion arises from the acromion process. It abducts the arm. The posterior portion arises from the lower border of the crest of the spine of the scapula. It extends and laterally rotates the arm.
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Superficial muscles of the neck
Superficial muscles are the most visible muscles and give the body its contour. The superficial muscles of the neck include the platysma, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius muscles. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is an important landmark, as it divides the neck into anterior and posterior triangles. The platysma is a sheet-like muscle that lies within the subcutaneous tissue of the anterior neck, superficial to the investing layer of deep cervical fascia. It originates from the skin and fascia overlying the region of the clavicle and passes superiorly along the neck. The platysma is also considered a muscle of facial expression as it arises from the second pharyngeal arch during embryonic development and is innervated by the facial nerve.
The trapezius muscle is considered a superficially placed, extrinsic muscle of the back due to its location and involvement in scapular movement. It is a large, flat, triangular muscle that forms a diamond shape with its counterpart. The trapezius muscle has an extensive origin, which includes the back of the skull and most of the vertebrae of the spine. It inserts into the clavicle, acromion, and crest of the spine of the scapula. The trapezius muscle is a powerful elevator of the shoulder and also rotates the scapula to extend reach upwards.
The splenius muscles, including the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, are also considered superficial muscles of the posterior neck. These muscles extend the head when contracted bilaterally, while unilateral contraction produces lateral flexion and rotation of the head to the same side. The splenius capitis originates from the spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T3 and the nuchal ligament, inserting just below the lateral superior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The splenius cervicis arises from the spinous processes of vertebrae T3-T6 and inserts onto the transverse processes of vertebrae C1-C3.
The anterior neck muscles are divided into three subgroups: superficial muscles, suprahyoid muscles, and infrahyoid muscles. The superficial muscles of the anterior neck include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The suprahyoid muscles include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid, while the infrahyoid muscles consist of the sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid.
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Frequently asked questions
Superficial muscles are the most external muscles, giving the body its contour.
The pectoralis major, deltoid, coracobrachialis biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis are examples of superficial muscles. The trapezius muscle is another example, it is considered a superficial muscle due to its location and involvement in scapular movement.
Superficial muscles are the most visible, so bodybuilders tend to focus on them to make sure they look right.
