Muscles of the Forearm and Hand Flashcards
Pronator Teres (elbow) Origin
Humeral head: Common flexor origin on the anterior aspect of the medial epicondyle of humerus, and area immediately above (i.e. lower medial end of humerus).
Pronator Teres (elbow) Insertion
Middle of lateral surface of radius.
Pronator Teres (elbow) Action
Pronates forearm. Assists flexion of elbow joint.
Pronator Teres (elbow) Nerve
Median nerve, C6, 7
Pronator Teres (elbow) Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Pouring liquid from a container. Turning a doorknob.
Pronator Teres (elbow) Sports that heavily utilize this muscle
Ex: Batting in cricket. Hockey dribbling. Volleyball smash.
Pronator Teres (elbow) Strengthening Exercise
Pronation with strength bar
Pronator Teres (elbow) Self Stretch
Hold weighted stick in front of body (lowered to front of upper legs). Hand in a palm-out position. Weight of stick increases supination via gravity.
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Origin
Common flexor origin on the anterior aspect of the medial epicondyle of humerus (ie lower medial end of humerus).
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Insertion
Carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges.
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Action
Flex the wrist (flexor carpi radialis also abducts the wrist; flexor carpi ulnaris also adducts the wrist).
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Nerve
Flexor carpi radialis: Median nerve, C6, 7, 8.
Palmaris Longus: Median nerve, C6, 7, 8, T1
Flexor carpi ulnaris: Ulnar nerve, C7, 8, T1
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Pulling rope in towards you. Wielding an axe or hammer.
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Sports that heavily utilize these muscles
Ex: Sailing. Water Skiing. Golf. Baseball. Cricket. Volleyball.
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Movements or injuries that may damage these muscles
Overextending the wrist resulting from breaking a fall with the hand.
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Common problems when muscles are chronically tight / shortened / overused
Golfer’s elbow (overuse tendonitis of common flexor origin), carpal tunnel syndrome.
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Strengthening Exercises
- Biceps curl
- Wrist rolling (palm up)
- Wrist curl
Wrist Flexors (forearm) Self Stretches
- Extend both arms in front. Use one hand to gently lever the other wrist into extension
- Table position (hands and knees); fingers pointed towards knees.
Finger Flexors (forearm) Origin
Superficialis: Common flexor tendon on medial epicondyle of humerus. Coronoid process of ulna. Anterior border of radius.
Profundus: Medial and anterior surfaces of the ulna.
Finger Flexors (forearm) Insertion
Superficialis: Sides of the middle phalanges of the four fingers.
Profundus: Medial and anterior surfaces of the ulna.
Finger Flexors (forearm) Action
Superficialis: Flexes the middle phalanges of each finger. Can help flex the wrist.
Profundus: Flexes distal phalanges (the only muscle able to do so).
Finger Flexors (forearm) Nerve
Superficialis: Median nerve, C7, 8, T1.
Profundus: Medial half of muscle, ulnar nerve, C7, 8, T1.
Sometimes the ulnar nerve supplies the whole muscle.
Finger Flexors (forearm) Basic Functional Movement
Ex: “Hook grip’ as in carrying a briefcase. ‘Power grip’ as in turning a tap. Typing. Playing the piano and some strained instruments.
Finger Flexors (forearm) Sports that heavily utilize these muscles
Ex: Archery. Maintainig grip in racket and batting sports. Judo. Rowing. Rock-face climbing
Finger Flexors (forearm) Movements or injuries that may damage these muscles
Overextending the wrist resulting from breaking a fall with the hand.
Finger Flexors (forearm) Common problems when muscles are chronically tight / shortened / overused
Golfer’s elbow (overuse tendonitis of common flexor origin). Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Finger Flexors (forearm) Strengthening Exercises
- Biceps curl
- Chin-ups
- Exercise ring finger flexion
Finger Flexors (forearm) Self Stretch
Gently pull each finger in turn into extension
Brachioradialis Origin
Upper two-thirds of the anterior aspect of lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus (ie lateral part of shaft of humerus, 5-7.5 cms (2-3”) above elbow joint.
Brachioradialis Insertion
Lower lateral end of radius, just above the styloid process.
Brachioradialis Action
Flexes elbow joint. Assists in pronating and supinating forearm when these movements are resisted.
Brachioradialis Nerve
Radial nerve, C5, 6.
Brachioradialis Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Turning a cork screw.
Brachioradialis Sports that heavily utilize this muscle
Ex: Baseball. Cricket. Golf. Racquet sports. Rowing.
Brachioradialis Strengthening Exercises
- Biceps curl
- Chin-ups
- Upright rows
Supinator Origin
Lower lateral end of humerus (lateral epicondyle) and upper lateral end of ulna, and associated ligaments
Supinator Insertion
Dorsal and lateral surfaces of upper third of radius.
Supinator Action
Supinates forearm
Supinator Nerve
Deep radial nerve, C5, 6, (7).
Supinator Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Turning a door handle, or screwdriver
Supinator Sports that heavily utilize this muscle
Ex: Backhand in racquet sports.
Supinator Strengthening Exercise
Dumb-bell biceps curl
Supinator Self Stretch
Weight of stick increases pronation via gravity
Wrist Extensors Origin
Common Extensor tendon from lateral epicondyle of humerus (ie lower lateral end of humerus)
Wrist Extensors Insertion
Dorsal surface of metacarpal bones.