Anatomy of Forearm, Wrist, & Hand

These flashcards cover key muscle groups in the forearm, wrist, and hand, including their origins, actions, and innervation.

Pronator teres

Muscle responsible for pronation and weak elbow flexion; innervated by the median nerve.

Flexor carpi radialis

Flexes and abducts the wrist; originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and is innervated by the median nerve.

Palmaris longus

Muscle that flexes the wrist and tenses the palmar fascia; originated from the medial epicondyle of the humerus.

Flexor carpi ulnaris

Flexes and adducts the wrist; innervated by the ulnar nerve.

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Flexes the PIP joints and assists in wrist flexion; innervated by the median nerve.

Flexor digitorum profundus

Flexes DIP joints; innervated by both median (lateral) and ulnar (medial) nerves.

Flexor pollicis longus

Flexes the thumb; innervated by the median nerve.

Pronator quadratus

Muscle responsible for pronation of the forearm; innervated by the median nerve.

Brachioradialis

Flexes the elbow, especially in mid-pronation; innervated by the radial nerve.

Extensor carpi radialis longus

Extends and abducts the wrist; originates from the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus and innervated by the radial nerve.

Extensor carpi radialis brevis

Extends and abducts the wrist; innervated by the radial nerve.

Extensor digitorum

Extends digits 2–5 and the wrist; innervated by the radial nerve.

Extensor digiti minimi

Extends the 5th digit; innervated by the radial nerve.

Extensor carpi ulnaris

Extends and adducts the wrist; innervated by the radial nerve.

Supinator

Supinates the forearm; innervated by the radial nerve.

Abductor pollicis longus

Abducts and extends the thumb; innervated by the radial nerve.

Extensor pollicis brevis

Extends the thumb at the MCP joint; innervated by the radial nerve.

Extensor pollicis longus

Extends the thumb at the IP joint; innervated by the radial nerve.

Extensor indicis

Extends the index finger; innervated by the radial nerve.

Abductor pollicis brevis

Abducts the thumb; innervated by the median nerve.

Flexor pollicis brevis

Flexes the thumb; innervated by the median nerve.

Opponens pollicis

Opposes the thumb; innervated by the median nerve.

Adductor pollicis

Adducts the thumb; innervated by the ulnar nerve.

Abductor digiti minimi

Abducts the little finger; innervated by the ulnar nerve.

Flexor digiti minimi brevis

Flexes the little finger; innervated by the ulnar nerve.

Opponens digiti minimi

Opposes the little finger; innervated by the ulnar nerve.

Lumbricals (1-4)

Flexes MCP and extends IP joints; innervated by median (1-2) and ulnar (3-4) nerves.

Palmar interossei (1-3)

Adducts digits toward the midline; innervated by the ulnar nerve.

Dorsal interossei (1-4)

Abducts digits away from the midline; innervated by the ulnar nerve.