Strongest Muscle in Humans

It is difficult to pick the strongest muscle in the human body, because strength is measured in different ways, according to the Library of Congress. Strength could mean endurance, flexibility, speed, repeated motions or absolute force.

Absolute Force

• In terms of absolute force, the strongest muscle in the body is the masseter, the prime mover of the jaw for chewing. It can create force of 55 lbs. on the incisors or 200 lbs. on the molars.

Endurance

• The hardest-working muscle in the body is the heart. It pumps 2 oz. blood at every heartbeat, at least 2,500 gallons daily.

Pull With Greatest Force

• The muscle that can pull with the greatest force is the soleus, underneath the calf muscle. It is this muscle that keeps us from falling backward while standing up, and it is essential to running, walking and dancing.

Largest Muscle

• The largest muscle in the body is also one of the strongest--the gluteus maximus. This large muscle in the buttocks keeps us standing upright and fights against gravity when we walk up stairs.

Most Flexible

• The most flexible muscle is the tongue, which can take many shapes and also is always moving, even in sleep.

Repetition

• The muscles of the eye are constantly moving. In an hour's worth of reading, they can move 10,000 times. Unlike the heart, however, eye muscles can get fatigued easily.