Anterior and Posterior Forearm

Question 1

Anterior Forearm Functions

Answer 1

Primary Actions: Flexion of hand/fingers, pronation of hand, wrist joint movements.

Question 2

Posterior Forearm Functions

Answer 2

Primary Actions: Extension of hand/fingers, supination of hand, wrist joint movements.

Question 3

Anterior Forearm: Muscle Layers (3)

Answer 3

1. Superficial Layer: Flexor carpi ulnaris, palmaris longus, flexor carpi radialis, pronator teres.
2. Intermediate Layer: Flexor digitorum superficialis.
3. Deep Layer: Flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus, pronator quadratus.

Question 4

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris function

Answer 4

Flexes and adducts wrist

Question 5

Palmaris Longus function

Answer 5

Accessory wrist flexor, resists palm shredding during gripping.

Question 6

Flexor Carpi Radialis function

Answer 6

Flexes and abducts wrist.

Question 7

Pronator Teres function

Answer 7

Rotates radius over ulna (pronation).

Question 8

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis function

Answer 8

Flexes MCP and PIP joints of fingers, wrist flexor.

Question 9

Flexor Digitorum Profundus function

Answer 9

Flexes MCP, PIP, and DIP joints of fingers, flexes wrist.

Question 10

Flexor Pollicis Longus function

Answer 10

Flexes thumb joints.

Question 11

Pronator Quadratus

Answer 11

Pulls distal radius over ulna (pronation).

Question 12

Posterior Forearm: Muscle Layers (2) name muscles involved

Answer 12

1. Superficial Layer: Brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus/brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, extensor carpi ulnaris, anconeus.
2. Deep Layer: Supinator, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis/longus, extensor indicis.

Question 13

Brachioradialis function

Answer 13

Flexes elbow in mid-pronation.

Question 14

Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus/Brevis function

Answer 14

Extend and abduct wrist.

Question 15

Extensor Digitorum function

Answer 15

Extends fingers (index, middle, little).

Question 16

Extensor Digiti Minimi function

Answer 16

Accessory extensor of little finger.

Question 17

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
Function

Answer 17

Extends and adducts wrist.

Question 18

Anconeus Function

Answer 18

Stabilizes elbow, abducts ulna, accessory elbow extensor.

Question 19

Supinator Function

Answer 19

Supinates forearm and hand.

Question 20

Abductor Pollicis Longus Function

Answer 20

Abducts thumb.

Question 21

Extensor Pollicis Brevis
Function

Answer 21

Extends MCP and CMC joints of thumb.

Question 22

Extensor Pollicis Longus Function

Answer 22

Extends all thumb joints

Question 23

Extensor Indicis Function

Answer 23

Accessory extensor of index finger.

Question 24

Median Nerve Injury (Anterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected

Answer 24

Cause: Compression (e.g., carpal tunnel), trauma.
Symptoms: Weakness in wrist and finger flexion, loss of sensation on lateral palm and fingers 1-3.
Muscles Affected: Flexor carpi radialis, flexor digitorum superficialis, part of flexor digitorum profundus.

Question 25

Ulnar Nerve Injury (Anterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected

Answer 25

Cause: Compression at elbow (cubital tunnel), trauma.
Symptoms: Weakness in wrist and finger flexion (especially 4th and 5th digits), claw hand deformity.
Muscles Affected: Flexor carpi ulnaris, part of flexor digitorum profundus.

Question 26

Radial Nerve Injury (Posterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected

Answer 26

Cause: Humerus fracture, prolonged pressure (e.g., “Saturday night palsy”).
Symptoms: Wrist drop, weak extension of wrist and fingers, sensory loss on the dorsum of the hand.
Muscles Affected: Extensor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum, extensor pollicis longus/brevis.

Question 27

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Anterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected

Answer 27

Cause: Compression of the median nerve at the wrist.
Symptoms: Pain, numbness, and tingling in the first three digits and part of the 4th, weakness in thumb opposition.
Muscles Affected: Flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, and part of flexor digitorum profundus.

Question 28

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (Posterior Forearm)
cause
sx
tx

Answer 28

Cause: Inflammation of the tendons in the first dorsal compartment (abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis).
Symptoms: Pain on the radial side of the wrist, difficulty moving the thumb, especially during grasping or twisting motions.
Treatment: Rest, splinting, corticosteroid injections.

Question 29

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) (Anterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected

Answer 29

Cause: Overuse or repetitive flexion movements (e.g., gripping).
Symptoms: Pain at the medial epicondyle, weakness in wrist flexion and forearm pronation.
Muscles Affected: Flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis.

Question 30

Tennis Elbow (Posterior Forearm)
clinical name
cause
sx
muscles affected

Answer 30

Lateral Epicondylitis
Cause: Overuse or repetitive extension movements (e.g., gripping or swinging a racket).
Symptoms: Pain at the lateral epicondyle, weakness in wrist and finger extension.
Muscles Affected: Extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, extensor digitorum.

Question 31

Supination Dysfunction (Posterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles afffected

Answer 31

Cause: Injury to the supinator muscle or radial nerve.
Symptoms: Difficulty with supination (turning the palm up), reduced ability to hold objects.
Muscles Affected: Supinator, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis longus/brevis.

Question 32

Forearm Compartment Syndrome
cause
sx
tx

Answer 32

Cause: Trauma, fractures, or swelling leading to elevated pressure within forearm compartments.
Symptoms: Severe pain, swollen forearm, diminished pulse, loss of sensation, and muscle weakness.
Treatment: Fasciotomy to relieve pressure.

Question 33

Trigger Finger
clinical name
cause
sx
tx

Answer 33

Flexor Tendon Dysfunction
Cause: Thickening of the flexor tendon sheath, commonly in flexor digitorum superficialis.
Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, and locking of the finger in a flexed position.
Treatment: Rest, stretching, corticosteroid injections, or surgery.

Question 34

Wrist Drop (Radial Nerve Injury)
cause
sx
tx

Answer 34

Cause: Radial nerve damage (e.g., humeral fracture or “Saturday night palsy”).
Symptoms: Inability to extend wrist and fingers, “wrist drop” appearance.
Treatment: Splinting, physical therapy, nerve recovery strategies.