Author: F Dog

Using a number of studies I compiled a list of muscles by their volume and translated that into estimated percentages of total skeletal muscle volume. I have created three graphs from this information. The first shows individual muscles from most volume to least amount of volume. The second shows percentages by muscle groups or functions. The third shows volume based on region. Each graph has two sets of values: pink for female, and blue for male. The percentages are ordered from highest to lowest based off of the female list.

Methodology:
Studies where MRIs took images of living subjects are given precedence over cadavers. Cadaver studies are only used in the lower leg.

My definition of the ‘erectors spinae’ include iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis.

My definition of the ‘transverso spinalis’ only includes the rotatores, semispinalis cervicis, and semispinalis thoracis, as the other muscles have individual values associated with them.

Iliopsoas refers to all the hip flexor muscles.

I believe 'ventral muscles' in this study refer to the longus capitis.

For lack of better alternatives in the second graph, I paired the sartorius with the quadriceps and the tensor fasciae latae with the glutes.

Volume as a total was calculated by the ratio produced by this study. Absolute values between the upper and lower halves were not used.

Lower body leg volumes were produced by this study. As they were not included in the study, specific shin muscles (with the exception of the popliteus and fibularis tertius) were found using a ratio of weight based on this cadaver study.

Most upper body muscles were found here. Those not found in that study were instead gathered from here or here.