muscles acting on the wrist and hand

flexor carpi radialis

anterior and radial flexion of wrist

flexor carpi ulnaris

anterior and ulnar flexion of wrist

flexor digitorum superficialis

• wrist

• metacarpophalangeal

• intercarpal joint flexion

palmaris longus

• wrist flexion

• anchorage of palmar skin and fascia

• resistance to shearing forces when stress is applied by tool use, climbing and other actions

flexor digitorum profundus

• wrist, metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint flexion

• sole flexor of distal interphalangeal joints

flexor pollicis longus

thumb flexion

extensor carpi radialis longus

extension and radial flexion of wrist

extensor carpi radialis brevis

extensor and radial flexion of wrist

extensor digitorum

• wrist, metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint extensions

• tends to spread fingers away from each other

extensor digiti minimum

wrist and little finger extension

extensor carpi ulnaris

• wrist extension and ulnar flexion

• wrist fixation when fist is clenched or hand grips an object

abductor pollicis longus

• radial abduction of thumb

• extension of carpometacarpal joint of thumb

extensor pollicis longus

• extension of thumb at carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints of thumb

• adduction and lateral rotation of thumb

extensor indicis

extension of index finger at metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints