Move the Upper Extremities Flashcards
(18 cards)
Pectoralis major
The pectoralis major is a large, fan-shaped muscle located on the anterior chest wall. It plays a crucial role in arm movements and chest aesthetics. It’s functions are adduction, internal rotation of the arm, extension of the arm, assists in breathing by elevating the ribs.
Latissimus dorsi
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle located on the lower back. It extends from the spine to the armpit. Its functions include: adduction of the arm, medial rotation of the arm, extension of the arm, and assistance with breathing by pulling down the ribs.
Deltoid
The deltoid muscle is a large, triangular muscle located on the shoulder. It has three heads: anterior, lateral, and posterior. Its functions include: adduction of the arm, stabilization of the shoulder joint, flexion and extension of the arm, and internal and external rotation of the arm.
Teres major
A muscle located in the posterior shoulder region whose functions are to extend the humerus, adduct the humerus, and to internally rotate the humerus.
Biceps brachii
A large muscle located on the front of the upper arm that plays a crucial role in flexing the elbow and supinating the forearm. Its functions include: flexion of the elbow joint, supination of the forearm, and stabilization of the shoulder joint.
Triceps brachii
The triceps brachii is a muscle located on the back of the upper arm. Its primary function is to extend the forearm at the elbow joint. Its functions include: elbow extension, shoulder adduction, and stabilization.
Brachioradialis
The brachioradialis muscle is located in the forearm and plays several important functions: flexion of the forearm, supination of the forearm, stabilization of the forearm, stabilization of the elbow, and assistance in pronation.
Palmaris longus
The palmaris longus is a small, thin muscle located in the forearm. It is one of the superficial flexor muscles of the forearm, meaning it helps to bend the wrist. The palmaris longus is a weak wrist flexor. Its primary function is to assist in bending the wrist, particularly when the hand is in a pronated position (palm facing down).
Flexor carpi radialis
A muscle located in the forearm whose function is to flex and radially deviate the wrists.
Flexor digitorum superficialis
The flexor digitorum superficialis muscle primarily functions to flex the middle phalanges of the four fingers (excluding the thumb) at the proximal interphalangeal joints, also contributing to flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joints and wrist joint; essentially, it bends the middle finger segment of each finger independently at the middle joint while also assisting with wrist flexion.
Extensor carpi radialis
The extensor carpi radialis muscle extends and abducts the wrist, which allows the hand to move in a variety of ways. Its functions include: wrist extension, wrist abduction, elbow flexion, and fist clenching.
Extensor digitorum
The extensor digitorum muscle is located in the forearm and plays a crucial role in extending the fingers and wrist. Its functions include: extension of the fingers, dorsiflexion of the wrist, stabilization of the hand and wrist, and assistance in walking.
Extensor digiti minimi
The extensor digiti minimi (EDM) muscle extends the wrist and the little finger.
Extensor carpi ulnaris
The extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) is a muscle located on the forearm. Its function is to: extend the wrist, adduct the hand, and stabilize the wrist.
Infraspinatus
The infraspinatus is a triangular-shaped muscle located in the back of the shoulder blade (scapula). It is one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff, a group of muscles that help stabilize and move the shoulder joint. Its functions include: externally rotating the arm and helping maintain shoulder stability.
Supraspinatus
The supraspinatus muscle is a small, triangular muscle located in the upper back, just above the shoulder blade (scapula). It is one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff, a group of muscles that help to stabilize and move the shoulder joint. Its functions include: abduction of the arm and stabilization of the shoulder joint.
Subscapularis
The subscapularis muscle is situated on the anterior surface of the scapula (shoulder blade). The primary function of the subscapularis muscle is internal rotation of the humerus. It also contributes to adduction and extension of the shoulder joint.
Teres Minor
Small, narrow muscle located in the posterior shoulder whose function is to externally rotate the shoulder joint, adduct and extend the shoulder joint, and help stabilize the shoulder joint.
