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Muscles in the Anterior
Compartment of the Forearm
May. 21st, 2012 Send to Kindle
There are many muscles in the forearm. In the anterior compartment, they are split
into three categories; superficial, intermediate and deep.
In general, muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm perform flexion at
the wrist and fingers, and pronation.
Superficial Compartment
The superficial muscles in the anterior compartment are the flexor carpi ulnaris,
palmaris longus, flexor carpi radialis and pronator teres. They all originate from a
common tendon, which arises from the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
Attachments: Originates from the medial epicondyle with the other
superficial flexors. It also has a long origin from the ulna. It passes into the
wrist, and attaches to the pisiform carpal bone.
Actions: Flexion and adduction at the wrist.
Innervation: Ulnar nerve.
Palmaris Longus
This muscle is absent in about 15% of the population.
Dissection Tip: Just distal to the wrist, if you reflect back the palmaris longus, you will
find the median nerve immediately underneath it
Attachments: Originates from the medial epicondyle, attaches to the flexor
retinaculum of the wrist.
Actions: Flexion at the wrist.
Innervation: Median nerve.
Flexor Carpi Radialis
Attachments: Originates from the medial epicondyle, attaches to the base of
metacarpals II and III.
Actions: Flexion and abduction at the wrist.
Innervation: Median nerve.
Pronator Teres
The lateral border of the pronator teres forms the medial border of the cubital
fossa, an anatomical triangle located over the elbow.
Attachments:It has two origins, one from the medial epicondyle, and the
other from the coronoid process of the ulna. It attaches laterally to the mid-
shaft of the radius.
Actions:Pronation of the forearm.
Innervation:Median nerve.
Fig 1.0 The superficial muscles of the anterior forearm.
Intermediate Compartment
The flexor digitorum superficialis is the only muscle of the intermediate
compartment.It can sometimes be classed as a superficial muscle, but in most
cadavers it lies between the deep and superficial muscle layers.
The muscle is a good anatomical landmark in the forearm the median nerve and
ulnar artery pass between its two heads, and then travel posteriorly.
Attachments: It has two heads one originates from the medial epicondyle of
the humerus, the other from the radius. The muscle splits into four tendons
at the wrist, which travel through the carpal tunnel, and attaches to the
middle phalanges of the four fingers.
Actions: Flexes the metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal
joints at the 4 fingers, and flexes at the wrist.
Innervation: Median nerve.
Fig 1.1 The intermediate compartment of the anterior forearm. Flexor digitorum
superficialis highlighted in blue.
Deep Compartment
There are three muscles in the deep anterior forearm; flexor digitorum profundus,
flexor pollicis longus, and pronator quadratus.
Flexor Digitorum Profundus
Attachments: Originates from the ulna and associated interosseous
membrane. At the wrist, it splits into four tendons, that pass through the
carpal tunnel and attach to the distal phalanges of the four fingers.
Actions: It is the only muscle that can flex the distal interphalangeal joints of
the fingers. It also flexes at metacarpophalangeal joints and at the wrist.
Innervation: The medial half (acts on the little and ring fingers) is innervated
by the ulnar nerve. The lateral half (acts on the middle and index fingers) is
innervated by the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve.
Flexor Pollicis Longus
This muscle lies laterally to the FDP.
Attachments: Originates from the anterior surface of the radius, and
surrounding interosseous membrane. Attaches to the base of the distal
phalanx of the thumb.
Actions: Flexes the interphalangeal joint and metacarpophalangeal joint of
the thumb.
Innervation: Median nerve (anterior interosseous branch).
Pronator Quadratus
A square shaped muscle, found deep to the tendons of the FDP and FPL.
Attachments: Originates from the anterior surface of the ulna, and attaches
to the anterior surface of the radius.
Actions: Pronates the forearm.
Innervation: Median nerve (anterior interosseous branch).
Fig 1.2 Deep flexor muscles of the anterior forearm.
Prosection Images
Prosection 1- The superficial layer of the anterior forearm.
Prosection 2 The intermediate layer of the anterior forearm
Prosection 3 The deep layer of the anterior forearm.
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