Arm, Forearm, and Hand Muscles

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major muscles, compartments, attachments, actions, and movements of the arm, forearm, and hand.

Biceps brachii

An anterior arm muscle attached to the scapula and radial tuberosity that flexes the arm at the shoulder, flexes the forearm at the elbow, and supinates the forearm.

Coracobrachialis

An anterior arm muscle attached to the coracoid process and humerus that flexes the arm at the shoulder.

Brachialis

An anterior arm muscle attached to the humerus and ulnar tuberosity that flexes the forearm at the elbow.

Triceps brachii

A posterior arm muscle consisting of long, medial, and lateral heads attached to the olecranon process of the ulna, scapula (long head), and humerus (medial and lateral heads); extends the forearm, and extends the arm (long head only).

Flexor group (Forearm)

A group of mostly synergist muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm attached to the medial epicondyle of the humerus, wrist, and digits that flex the wrist and digits.

Flexor Group Muscles

The specific muscles comprising the forearm flexor group: flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, and pronator teres.

Brachioradialis

A forearm muscle in the anterior compartment attached to the lateral epicondyle and distal radius that flexes the forearm at the elbow.

Extensor group (Forearm)

A group of synergist muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm attached to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, wrist, and digits that extend the wrist and digits.

Extensor Group Muscles

The specific muscles comprising the forearm extensor group: extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, and extensor digitorum.

Metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP)

The joint in the hand where digit abduction and adduction occur, with digit III acting as the axis.

Thenar muscles

A group of three intrinsic muscles in the palm at the base of the thumb (pollex / digit I) attached to carpals and pollex phalanges that move, flex, abduct, and oppose the thumb; includes flexor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis brevis, and opponens pollicis.

Hypothenar muscles

A group of three intrinsic muscles in the palm at the base of the pinky (digit V) attached to carpals and digit V phalanges that move, flex, abduct, and oppose digit V; includes flexor digiti minimi brevis, abductor digiti minimi, and opponens digiti minimi.

Palmar interossei

Interosseous muscles located between metacarpals on the palmar side attached to metacarpals 2-5 and phalanges 2-5 that adduct the digits (PAD).

Dorsal interossei

Interosseous muscles located between metacarpals on the dorsal side attached to metacarpals 2-5 and phalanges 2-5 that abduct the digits (DAB).

Pronation

Forearm movement that positions the palm posteriorly.

Supination

Forearm movement that positions the palm anteriorly.