Anterior and Posterior Forearm Flashcards
Anterior Forearm Functions
Primary Actions: Flexion of hand/fingers, pronation of hand, wrist joint movements.
Posterior Forearm Functions
Primary Actions: Extension of hand/fingers, supination of hand, wrist joint movements.
Anterior Forearm: Muscle Layers (3)
- Superficial Layer: Flexor carpi ulnaris, palmaris longus, flexor carpi radialis, pronator teres.
- Intermediate Layer: Flexor digitorum superficialis.
- Deep Layer: Flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus, pronator quadratus.
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris function
Flexes and adducts wrist
Palmaris Longus function
Accessory wrist flexor, resists palm shredding during gripping.
Flexor Carpi Radialis function
Flexes and abducts wrist.
Pronator Teres function
Rotates radius over ulna (pronation).
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis function
Flexes MCP and PIP joints of fingers, wrist flexor.
Flexor Digitorum Profundus function
Flexes MCP, PIP, and DIP joints of fingers, flexes wrist.
Flexor Pollicis Longus function
Flexes thumb joints.
Pronator Quadratus
Pulls distal radius over ulna (pronation).
Posterior Forearm: Muscle Layers (2) name muscles involved
- Superficial Layer: Brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus/brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, extensor carpi ulnaris, anconeus.
- Deep Layer: Supinator, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis/longus, extensor indicis.
Brachioradialis function
Flexes elbow in mid-pronation.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus/Brevis function
Extend and abduct wrist.
Extensor Digitorum function
Extends fingers (index, middle, little).
Extensor Digiti Minimi function
Accessory extensor of little finger.
Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
Function
Extends and adducts wrist.
Anconeus Function
Stabilizes elbow, abducts ulna, accessory elbow extensor.
Supinator Function
Supinates forearm and hand.
Abductor Pollicis Longus Function
Abducts thumb.
Extensor Pollicis Brevis
Function
Extends MCP and CMC joints of thumb.
Extensor Pollicis Longus Function
Extends all thumb joints
Extensor Indicis Function
Accessory extensor of index finger.
Median Nerve Injury (Anterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected
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.
Ulnar Nerve Injury (Anterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected
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.
Radial Nerve Injury (Posterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected
To
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.
Tx: Splinting, physical therapy, nerve recovery strategy
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Anterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected
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.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (Posterior Forearm)
cause
sx
tx
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.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) (Anterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles affected
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.
Tennis Elbow (Posterior Forearm)
clinical name
cause
sx
muscles affected
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.
Supination Dysfunction (Posterior Forearm)
cause
sx
muscles afffected
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.
Forearm Compartment Syndrome
cause
sx
tx
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.
Trigger Finger
clinical name
cause
sx
tx
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.
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