Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Wrist, Hand, Thumb & Digits

Question 1

Flexor carpi radialis

Superficial anterior (Flexor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 1

O-Common flexor tendon from medial epicondyle of humerus

I-Bases of second and third metacarpal’s

A-Flex the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]
Abduct the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]
May assist to flex the elbow [Humeroulnar joint]

N-Median C6,7,8

Question 2

Palmaris longus

Superficial anterior (Flexor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 2

O-Common flexor tendon from medial epicondyle of humerus

I-Flexor retinaculum and palmer aponeurosis

A-Tense the palmer fascia
Flex the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]
May assist to flex the elbow [Humeroulnar joint]

N-Median C6,7,8, T1

Question 3

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Superficial anterior (Flexor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 3

O-Humeral head: common flexor tendon from medial epicondyle of humerus
Ulnar head: posterior surface of proximal 2/3 of Ulna

I-Pisiform, hook of the hamate and base of the fifth metacarpal

A-Flex the wrist [Radio carpal joint]
Adduct the wrist [Radio carpal joint]
Assist to flex the elbow [humeroulnar joint]

N-Ulnar C7, 8, T1

Question 4

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Superficial anterior (Flexor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 4

O-Common flexor tendon of medial epicondyle of humerus,ulnar collateral ligament,coronoid process of ulna, interosseous membrane and proximal shaft of radius

I-Side of middle phalanges of second through fifth fingers

A-Flex the second through fifth fingers [metacarpal phalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints]
Flex the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]

N-Median C7, 8, T1

Question 5

Flexor pollicis longus

Deep anterior (Flexor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 5

O-Anterior surface of radius and interosseous membrane

I-Base of distal phalanx of thumb

A-Flex the thumb [interphalangeal joint]
Flex the thumb [Metacarpalphalangeal and carpometacarpal joint]
Assist to flex the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]

N-Median C6,7,8, T1

Question 6

Flexor digitorum profundas

Deep anterior (Flexor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 6

O-Anterior and medial surfaces of proximally 3/4 of ulna

I-Bases of distal phalanges, palmer surface of second through fifth fingers

A-Flex the second through fifth fingers [metacarpal phalangeal and distal inter-phalangeal joint]
Assist to flex the wrist [Radio carpal joint]

N-Second and third fingers: median C7, 8, T1
Fourth and fifth fingers: ulnar C7,8,T1

Question 7

Extensor carpi radialis longus

Superficial posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 7

O-Distal 1/3 of the lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus

I-Base of second metacarpal

A-Extend the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]
Abduct the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]
Assist to flex the elbow [Humeroulnar joint]

N-Radial C5,6,7,8

Question 8

Extensor carpi radialis brevis

Superficial posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 8

O-Common extensor tendon from the lateral epicondyle of humerus

I-Base of third metacarpal

A-Extend the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]
Abduct the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]
Assist to flex the elbow [Humeroulnar joint]

N-Radial C6,7,8

Question 9

Extensor digitorum

Superficial posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 9

O-Common extensor tendon from the lateral epicondyle of humerus

I-Pieces of metal and distal phalanges of second through fifth fingers

A-Extend the second through fifth fingers [Metacarpal phalangeal and interphalangeal joints]
Assist to extend the wrist [Radiocarpal giant]

N-Radial c6,7,8

Question 10

Extensor digiti minimi

Superficial posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 10

O-lateral epicondyle of humerus

I-tendon of extensor digitorum on phalanx V

A-Extends proximal phalanx of little finger at metacarpophalangeal joint and hand at wrist

N-deep radial nerve

Question 11

Extensor carpi ulnaris

Superficial posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 11

O-Common extensor tendon from the lateral epicondyle of humerus

I-Base of the fifth metacarpal

A-Extend the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]
Adduct the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]

N-Radial C6,7,8

Question 12

Abductor pollicis longus

Deep posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 12

O-Posterior surface of radius and ulna, and interosseous membrane

I-Base of first metacarpal

A- Abduct the thumb [carpometacarpal joint]
Extend the thumb [carpometacarpal joint]
Abduct the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]

N-Radial C6,7,8

Question 13

Extensor pollicis brevis

Deep posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 13

O-Posterior surface of radius and interosseous membrane

I-Base of the proximal phalanx of thumb

A-Extend the thumb [Metacarpophalangeal and carpometacarpal joint]
Abduct the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]

N-Radial C6,7,8

Question 14

Extensor pollicis longus

Deep posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 14

O-Posterior surface of ulna and interosseous membrane

I-Base of distal phalanx of thumb

A-Extend the thumb [interphalangeal joint]
Extend the thumb [metacarpophalangeal and carpometacarpal joint]
Abduct the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]

N-Radial C6,7,8

Question 15

Extensor indicis

Deep posterior (Extensor) compartment of the Forearm

Answer 15

O-Posterior surface of distal shaft of ulna and interosseous membrane

I-Tendon of the extensor digitorum at the level of the second metacarpal

A-Extend the second finger [metacarpophalangeal joint]
Adduct the second finger
May assist to extend the wrist [Radiocarpal joint]

N-Radial C6,7,8