Anatomy of the posterior compartment of the forearm Flashcards
What are the muscles found in the posterior compartment of the forearm?
1) Brachioradialis (arises from the humerus and does not have an action of the wrist)
2) Extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL)
3) Extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB)
4) Extensor digitorum
5) Extensor digiti minimi (EDM)
6) Extensor carpi ulnaris
7) Anconeus
- Important in moving the elbow and wrist joint
- Except for 1, 2 & 7 all of them arise from the common extensor origin
Why is the brachioradialis considered from the posterior aspect and not the anterior?
Its arrangement/location is in the dorsal aspect of the forearm its tendon runs on the dorsal aspect of the forearm
Which muscles are superficial in the posterior compartment of the hand?
1) Brachioradialis
2) Extensor carpi radialis longus
3) Extensor carpi radialis brevis
4) Extensor digiti minimi
5) Extensor carpi ulnaris
6) Extensor digitorum
What is the origin of the brachoradialis muscle?
Upper 2/3 of the lateral supracondylar ridge, in front of the lateral intermuscular septum
Where does the brachoradialis insert?
The lateral side of the lower end of the radius, above the styloid process
Which nerve supplies the brachoradialis?
Radial nerve (along with longus & anconeus)
What is the action of brachoradialis?
1) Initiation of supination & pronation (rotates the supinated/pronated forearm to the mid-prone position)
2) Flexion of the elbow joint mid-prone position
What is the origin of the extensor carpi radialis longus?
1) Lower 1/3 of the lateral supracondylar ridge, in front of the lateral intermuscular septum
(Not from the common extensor origin)
Where is the extensor carpi radialis longus?
Dorsum of the base of the 2nd metacarpal bone
What is the nerve supply of the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle?
Radial nerve
What is the action of the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle?
Extension and abduction of the hand at the wrist joint
What is the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis?
The common extensor origin (in front of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus) (the common extensor origin will give all posterior muscles except the brachioradialis and anconeus)
Where does the extensor carpi radialis brevis insert?
Dorsum of the base of the 3rd metacarpal bone
What is the nerve supply of the extensor carpi radialis brevis?
Posterior interosseous nerve
What is the action of the extensor carpi radialis brevis?
1) Extension of the hand and wrist joint
2) Abduction of the hand and the wrist joint
What is the origin of the extensor carpi ulnaris?
Common extensor origin (front of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus)
Where does the extensor carpi ulnaris insert?
Dorsum of the base of the 5th metacarpal bone
What is the nerve supply of the extensor carpi ulnaris?
Posterior interosseous nerve
What is the action of the extensor carpi ulnaris?
1) Extension of the hand and wrist joint
2) Adduction of the hand and wrist joint
What is the origin of the extensor digitorum?
Common extensor origin (front of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus)