Muscle Palpations (UE)

Upper trapezius

Middle trapezius

Lower Trapezius

From spine of scapula down to SP T12, ask partner to bring arms like superman for contraction

Rhomboid major

T2-T5 (retract scapula)

Rhomboid minor

C7-T1 (retract scapula)

Deltoid

Entire cap of shoulder (ask partner to abduct shoulder)

Latissimus dorsi

Partner prone, arm bent dangling off of table; find lateral border of scapula, grab thick wad of muscle, ask to medially rotate shoulder or extend shoulder

Teres major

Partner prone, arm bent dangling off of table; find lower 1/3 lateral border of scapula, next to lat, ask partner to medially rotate

Supraspinatus

Find spine of scapula, sink above into supraspinous fossa

Infraspinatus

Find spine of scapula, sink below into infraspinous fossa

Teres minor

Partner prone, arm bent dangling off of table, superior to teres major on lateral border of scapula, ask partner to laterally rotate for contraction

Subscapularis

kinda have to dig in armpit, ask partner to medially rotate

Levator scapula

Find superior angle of scapula, follow up to transverse processes of cervical vertebrae, ask partner to elevate scapula for contraction

Serratus anterior

Partner supine, arm reaching towards ceiling with fists, ask partner to protract scapula to feel contraction (fingers should be on ribs along side)

Pectoralis major

Find medial clavicle, slide just inferiorly, ask partner to do a chest fly for contraction

Pectoralis minor

Find coracoid process, ask partner to depress scapula for contraction

Sternocleidomastoid

From mastoid process to sternum, ask partner to rotate and lift head slightly

Biceps brachii belly

Ask partner to flex forearm, prominent belly on anterior arm

Biceps brachii distal tendon

Ask partner to flex forearm, follow bicep down to tendon distally

Biceps brachii tendon

Find greater tubercle, sink into intertubercular sulcus, that is where the tendon runs

Biceps brachii long head

runs towards greater tubercle

Biceps brachii short head

Runs towards coracoid process

Coracobrachialis

Lying supine, arm bent up, move from pec to axilla area, ask partner to pull elbow in for contraction

Brachialis

Lateral/sink under belly of biceps, ask partner to supinate and pronate (should NOT feel contraction)

Triceps brachii

Triceps brachii long head

Towards arm pit side

Triceps brachii lateral head

More on lateral side

Triceps brachii distal tendon

Find olecranon process, just superior

Anconeus

place your finger between the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the olecranon, then apply resistance to elbow extension to feel the muscle contract.

Brachioradialis

Ask partner to flex, prominent muscle lateral condyle to thumb

Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus/brevis

Place hand on forearm (thumb on brachioradialis, pinky on shaft of ulna)

Under index finger, should feel contraction when ask partner to radial deviate/extend wrist

Extensor Digitorum

Place hand on forearm (thumb on brachioradialis, pinky on shaft of ulna)

Under middle finger, should feel contraction when ask partner to extend fingers

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris

Place hand on forearm (thumb on brachioradialis, pinky on shaft of ulna)

Under ring finger, should feel contraction when ask partner to ulnar deviate and extend

Pronator Teres

Find bicep distal tendon, go across valley, ask partner to pronate for contraction

Flexor Carpi Radialis

Place hand on surface of forearm, flexor side (thumb across pronator teres, pinky on shaft of ulna)

Under index finger, shoulder feel contraction when partner radially deviates and flexes

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis

Medial surface of proximal forearm, ask partner to flex and straighten fingers to feel contraction

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Place hand on surface of forearm, flexor side (thumb across pronator teres, pinky on shaft of ulna)

Under ring finger, should feel contraction when partner ulnar deviate and flexes

Palmaris Longus

Place hand on surface of forearm, flexor side (thumb across pronator teres, pinky on shaft of ulna)

Under middle finger, should feel contraction when partner brings thumb and pinky finger together and flexes wrist

Supinator

Lateral epicondyle to shaft of radius, sink through extensor muscles, ask partner to supinate

ABDuctor Pollicis Longus

Extensor Pollicis Brevis

Extensor Pollicis Longus

Thenar Emminence

Short muscles of the thumb, bring thumb to pinky for contraction

Hypothenar Emminence

Short muscles of the pinky, bring thumb to pinky for contraction

Opponens Pollicis

Palmar side of 1st MC, ask partner to oppose thumb and feel contraction

ADDuctor Pollicis

In webbing of hand, ask partner to adduct thumb

Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis

Palmar surface of 5th MC, ask partner to flex little finger

ABductor Digiti Minimi

Side of 5th MC, ask partner to abduct little finger

Tendons of Extensor Digitorum

Ask partner to extend fingers, look at dorsal side of hand, very prominent tendons

Tendons of ABD pollicis longus,

Extensor Pollicis Brevis

Extensor Pollicis Longus

Make up anatomic snuff box

Order from top to bottom: longus, brevis, abductor

1st Dorsal Interosseus

Radial side of 2nd MC, ask partner to abduct index finger (bring index finger towards thumb to feel contraction)