Muscles
Primary 4 · Science and Elementary Technology
Muscles
Lesson 2 of 5
12 min
Let's begin
Before the inter-school football match, the coach calls out: "Stretch your thighs! Now your calves! Roll your shoulders!" Mugisha stretches, but he wonders: where exactly are all these muscles?
| Muscle group | Where | What it helps you do |
|---|---|---|
| Face and jaw muscles | face | smile, frown, blink, talk and chew |
| Neck muscles | neck | hold your head up and turn it |
| Shoulder muscles | top of the arm | lift your arms up |
| Chest muscles | front of the chest | push, hug and throw |
| Biceps | front of the upper arm | bend your elbow |
| Triceps | back of the upper arm | straighten your elbow |
| Abdominal (tummy) muscles | front of the belly | sit up, bend forward, cough; they also protect the organs in your belly |
| Back muscles | back | keep you upright; bend and lift |
| Buttock muscles | bottom | stand up, climb and run. The biggest muscle in the body is here! |
| Front thigh muscles | front of the thigh | straighten your knee and kick a ball |
| Back thigh muscles (hamstrings) | back of the thigh | bend your knee |
| Calf muscles | back of the lower leg | stand on tiptoe, jump and run |
Your calf muscle is joined to your heel bone by a thick, strong cord called the Achilles tendon. You can feel it just above the back of your heel.
Tip
Head to heel: face, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, tummy, back, bottom, thighs, calves.
Point to each one as you say it!
Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
Which muscle at the front of the upper arm bends your elbow?
Answer: The biceps.
Which muscles do you use to stand on tiptoe?
Answer: The calf muscles.
Name two jobs of the tummy (abdominal) muscles.
Answer: Any two of: helping you sit up, bend forward and cough; protecting the organs in the belly.
Where is the Achilles tendon?
Answer: Just above the back of the heel. It joins the calf muscle to the heel bone.
Which muscles help you smile?
Answer: The face muscles.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
The exercises (Try it yourself and the practice questions) are written by Ganzaa.
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
Match each muscle to what it helps you do.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
