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The human body is a complex system of muscles, bones, and nerves that work together to enable movement and function. With over 650 named skeletal muscles, it is challenging to definitively identify the single heaviest muscle. However, several muscles stand out as contenders for this title. The gluteus maximus, the largest muscle in the human body by volume, is a powerhouse that contributes to various movements, including standing, walking, and sports. The quadriceps femoris, located in the front thigh region, also boasts impressive mass and plays a crucial role in kicking and sprinting. Additionally, the latissimus dorsi, commonly known as lats, are the widest muscles in the body, spanning the width of the lower back and providing substantial upper body strength. Beyond these notable mentions, other muscle groups, such as the calves, deltoids, and pectoralis major, also possess significant mass and contribute to the overall strength and mobility of the human body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest muscle in the human body | Gluteus maximus |
| Location | Back of the hip |
| Other names | Buttocks, glutes |
| Muscle group | Gluteal muscles |
| Functions | Hip external rotation, hip extension, climbing stairs, jumping, walking, running, supporting posture |
| Percentage of total weight of leg muscles | 12% to 13% |
| Largest muscle in terms of surface area | Latissimus dorsi (lats) |
| Strongest muscle in the body | Masseter |
| Hardest-working muscle | Heart |
| Most active muscles | Muscles of the eye |
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What You'll Learn
Gluteus maximus
The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body. It is also known as the buttock or glutes, and it is the outermost and most superficial muscle of the buttocks. It is one of three gluteal muscles, along with the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the biggest muscle, but several others are comparable in size.
The gluteus maximus muscle originates from several sites, including the sacrum and coccyx, the sacrotuberous ligament, the gluteal surface of the ilium, the thoracolumbar fascia, and the gluteal aponeurosis. The muscle fibres take an inferolateral course, converging towards the femur. The muscle is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve (L5-S2). It is vascularized by the muscular branches of the inferior gluteal and superior gluteal arteries, the branches of the internal iliac artery.
The gluteus maximus has several important functions. Its main actions are the extension and external rotation of the thigh at the hip joint. It also assists in thigh abduction and adduction. Additionally, the gluteus maximus is crucial for stabilising the femur on the articular surfaces of the tibia during standing, when the extensor muscles are relaxed. It is involved in various sports, including running and weightlifting.
The gluteus maximus is also larger in size and thicker in humans than in other primates. It is approximately 1.6 times larger relative to body mass compared to chimpanzees and makes up a higher percentage of total hip musculature mass. The gluteus maximus is important for various physical activities, such as climbing stairs, jumping, and walking. Weak gluteal muscles can lead to lower back pain and poor posture. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen the gluteus maximus through regular workouts and targeted exercises.
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Masseter
The masseter muscle is a powerful muscle, considered the strongest in the human body based on absolute strength or the ability to generate maximum force. It is a paired, thick, and rectangular muscle, with one located on each side of the jaw. The masseter muscle is one of the muscles of mastication or chewing, working alongside the temporalis, lateral pterygoid, and medial pterygoid. When all these jaw muscles work together, they can exert a force of up to 200 pounds on the molars and 55 pounds on the incisors.
The masseter originates from the zygomatic arch and extends down to the mandibular angle. It has two divisions: the superficial and the deep. The superficial portion of the masseter originates from the temporal process of the zygomatic bone and the anterior two-thirds of the inferior border of the zygomatic arch. The fibres of the superficial portion pass downward and forward, inserting into the upper half of the ramus as high as the coronoid process of the mandible. The deep portion of the masseter originates from the entire surface of the zygomatic arch, with its fibres running downward and inserting along the mandibular ramus superior to the superficial portion.
The masseter muscle is innervated by the masseteric nerve, a branch of the mandibular division (V3) of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve carries both sensory and motor fibres. The blood supply to the masseter comes primarily from the masseteric artery, a branch of the maxillary artery, which in turn is a branch of the external carotid artery.
The masseter muscle is responsible for the elevation of the mandible, causing the mouth to close. It also assists in some protraction or forward movement of the mandible. In addition, the masseter helps to stabilize the tension of the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint. The masseter muscle can become enlarged in individuals who habitually clench or grind their teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Singers may also experience masseter tension, which can be alleviated with transdermal massages or stretches as part of vocal warm-up routines.
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Latissimus dorsi
The latissimus dorsi, commonly referred to as "lats", are the largest muscles in the human body in terms of surface area. There are two triangle-shaped latissimi dorsi, one on each side of the spine. These broad, flat muscles sit on top of the other muscles of the mid- and lower back. The name "latissimus dorsi" comes from Latin and means "broadest of the back".
The latissimus dorsi muscles are fan-shaped and are the widest muscles in the body. They assist with arm and trunk rotation. Strong lats can reduce the risk of neck and shoulder injuries. The muscles are relatively thin and cover almost all back muscles at the posterior trunk, except the trapezius. They belong to the superficial layer of extrinsic back muscles.
The latissimus dorsi muscles are responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension (also known as horizontal abduction or horizontal extension), flexion from an extended position, and medial internal rotation of the shoulder joint. They also have a synergistic role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. The muscles are active during deep inspiration and forceful respiratory functions such as coughing and sneezing.
The latissimus dorsi muscles are supplied predominantly by the thoracodorsal artery, a continuation of the subscapular artery, which is a branch of the third part of the axillary artery. In addition to the thoracodorsal artery, the muscles also receive blood supply from the dorsal perforating branches of the inferior three posterior intercostal arteries and the superior three lumbar arteries.
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Hamstrings
The hamstrings are some of the body's biggest and most frequently injured muscles. They are located on the posterior side of the upper legs and are made up of three muscles: the semimembranosus, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus. The hamstring muscle group plays a crucial role in hip extension (posterior movement of the femur) and knee flexion (posterior movement of the tibia and fibula).
The hamstrings are essential for walking, as they absorb kinetic energy and protect the knee and hip joints. During the swing phase of walking, the hamstrings decelerate the forward motion of the tibia. There is a complex interplay between hamstring contraction and quadriceps contraction, which is an antagonist muscle of the hamstrings.
The muscles within the posterior compartment of the thigh are the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. The biceps femoris has two heads (a long head and a short head) and is the most lateral of the muscles in the posterior thigh. The short head of the biceps femoris is unique among the hamstring muscles in that it originates from the lateral lip of the femoral linea aspera, distal to the femoroacetabular joint.
The semitendinosus is a largely tendinous muscle situated on the medial aspect of the posterior thigh and superficial to the semimembranosus. It originates from the ischial tuberosity of the pelvis and attaches to the medial surface of the tibia. The semimembranosus muscle, on the other hand, is flat and broad. It is located deep to the semitendinosus on the medial aspect of the posterior thigh. The semimembranosus originates from the ischial tuberosity and attaches to the medial tibial condyle.
The hamstring muscles are innervated by the sciatic nerve (L4-S3) and receive arterial supply from the inferior gluteal artery and perforating branches of the deep femoral artery. In rare cases, particularly in adolescents, sudden and forceful contraction of the hamstrings can result in an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity, causing sudden pain in the posterior thigh and an inability to walk.
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Pectoralis major
The pectoralis major is a fan-shaped muscle located on the front of the chest, commonly referred to as the "pecs". It is the largest muscle of the anterior chest wall and is considered one of the biggest muscles in the human body, especially in men. The pectoralis major has three parts: the clavicular, sternocostal, and abdominal parts. All three parts converge laterally and insert onto the greater tubercle of the humerus.
The main function of the pectoralis major is the adduction and internal rotation of the arm in the shoulder joint. It helps with rotation control and moves the arms back and forth. Additionally, it assists in pulling the rib cage outwards during breathing. Strong pectoralis major muscles can help with throwing and maintaining good posture, provided they are balanced with strong back muscles.
The pectoralis major is innervated by the lateral and medial pectoral nerves, which stem from the brachial plexus. It is vascularized by the pectoral branches of the thoracoacromial artery and the perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery. The muscle is also involved in deep or forced inspiration, assisting in breathing along with the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
The pectoralis major can be tested and exercised in various positions. For example, the clavicular head can be tested by transversely adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, while the sternocostal head can be tested by adducting the arm at the same joint. To build strength and definition in the pectoralis major, specific exercises such as weight lifting and bench pressing can be performed. However, it is important to note that pectoralis major tendon rupture is a rare shoulder injury that can occur during these exercises.
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Frequently asked questions
The gluteus maximus, or the glutes, is the largest muscle in the human body, accounting for about 12% to 13% of the total weight of all leg muscles. However, some sources claim that the quads are the biggest muscle group, especially in men, where they are about twice the size of the gluteus maximus.
The strongest muscle in the body is still up for debate. The masseter muscle in the jaw is considered the most powerful muscle, but the gluteus maximus and quadriceps are also considered some of the strongest.
The stapedius muscle in the middle ear is the smallest muscle in the human body. It is less than 1 millimeter long and controls the vibration of the smallest bone in the body, the stapes, also known as the stirrup bone.
