Upper Extremity Muscles & Actions

Levator

Refers to elevation (Levator scapular raises the shoulder)

Dorsi

Refers to dorsal or posterior surface

Brachii

Refers to arm or forearm

Pronation

Refers to motion of the forearm where it is turned palm down

Supination

Refers to a motion of the forearm where it is turned palm up

Extensor

increases the angle of a joint

Flexor

Decreases the angle of a joint

Carpi

Refers to wrist

Radialis

Refers to radial side of the wrist; thumb side

Radial Deviation

Wrist abduction

Ulnaris

Refers to the ulnar side of the wrist ; pinky side

Ulnar deviation

Wrist adduction

digiti, digitorum

Refers to the digits/fingers

Minimi

Refers to the fifth digit (pinky)

Indicis

Refers to index finger

Pollicis

Refers to thumb

Adductor

Brings thumb in closer to the other digits

Abductor

Brings the thumb out farther from the palm

Opponens

Opposes the thumb

Trapezius Action:

Rotates the scapula, raises the arm, raises the scapula, pulls the scapula medially, and pulls the scapula and shoulder downward

Latissimus Dorsi

Extends and adducts the arm, rotates the humerus inwardly, pulls the shoulder downward and posteriorly

Supraspinatus

Abducts the arm

Infraspinatus

Rotates the arm laterally

Subscapularis

Rotates the arm medially

Teres major

Extends the humerus or adducts and rotates the arm medially

Teres minor

Rotates the arm laterally

Triceps brachii

Extends the forearm at the elbow

Deltoid

Abducts the arm, extends or flexes the humerus

pectoralis major

Pulls the arm anteriorly and across the chest, rotates the humerus and adducts the arm

Pectoralis minor

Pulls the scapula anteriorly and downward, or raises the ribs

Biceps brachii

Flexes the forearm at the elbow and rotates the hand laterally

Coracobrachialis

Flexes and adducts the arm

Brachialis

Flexes forearm at the elbow

Brachioradialis

Flexes the forearm at the elbow

Pronator teres

Rotates the forearm medially

pronator quadratus

Rotates the forearm medially

Supinator

Rotates the forearm laterally

Extensor digitorum

Extends the fingers

Extensor carpi ulnaris

Extends and adducts the wrist

extensor carpi radialis longus

Extends the wrist and abducts the hand

extensor carpi radialis brevis

Extends the wrist and abducts the hand

flexor digitorium superficialis

(Primary) Flexes the middle phalanges at the proximal interphalangeal joints (secondary) flexes proximal phalanges at the metacarpophalangeal joints and the hand at the wrist

Flexor digitorium profundus

Flexes the distal joints of the fingers

flexor carpi radialis

flexes and abducts wrist

flexor carpi ulnaris

Flexes and adducts the wrist

palmaris longus

Flexes wrist

lumbricals I-IV

Extends the 2nd-5th fingers at IP joints, flex the 2nd-5th fingers at mcp joints

Palmar interosseii

Adduct the thumb, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th fingers; assist in thumb, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th flexion at mcp joints; assist in thumb, 2nd, 3rd , 4th, & 5th extension at IP joints

Dorsal interossei

Abduct the 2, 3, and 4th fingers at mcp joints; assist in flexion of 2,3,4th fingers at mcp joints, assist in extension of 2,3,4th fingers at ip joints

Flexor digiti minimi brevis

Flex the 5th fingers, assist in opposition of the 5th finger toward thumb

Abductor digiti minimi

Abduct the 5th finger, assist in opposition of the 5th finger

Opponens digiti minimi

Opposition of the 5th finger at the cmc joint

Extensor pollicis longus

Extends the thumb, abducts the wrist

extensor pollicis brevis

Extends the thumb, abducts the wrist

flexor pollicis longus

Flex the thumb (IP, MCP, CMC joints)

Flexor pollicis brevis

Flex the thumb (CMC, MCP assist in opposition of thumb)

Abductor pollicis longus

Abducts and extends the thumb, abducts the wrist

Abductor pollicis brevis

Abduct the thumb, assist in opposition of the thumb

Adductor pollicis

Adduct the thumb, assist in flexion of the thumb at mcp

Opponens Pollicis

Opposition of the thumb at cmc joint