Muscles of Upper Limbs

Question 1

large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow (two heads)
action: supinate the forearm and flex the elbow
origin: short head: coracoid process of the scapula.
long head: supraglenoid tubercle
insertion: radial tuberosity and bicipital aponeurosis into deep fascia on medial part of forearm

Answer 1

biceps brachii

Question 2

deeper than the biceps brachii

action: flexes the arm at the elbow joint
origin: anterior surface of the humerus, particularly the distal half of this bone
insertion: coronoid process and the tuberosity of the ulna

Answer 2

brachialis

Question 3

smallest of the three muscles that attach to the coracoid process of the scapula

action: flex and adduct the arm at the glenohumeral joint
origin: coracoid process of scapula
insertion: anteromedial surface of humerus distal to crest of lesser tubercle

Answer 3

coracobrachialis

Question 4

“three-headed muscle of the arm” (large muscle on the back of the upper limb)
action: extensor muscle of the elbow joint and an antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles
origin: long head: infraglenoid tubercle of scapula
lateral head: above the radial groove
medial head: below the radial groove
insertion: olecranon process of ulna

Answer 4

triceps brachii

Question 5

superficial, fusiform muscle on the lateral side of the forearm

action: flexes the forearm at the elbow (forearm is pronated, tends to supinate as it flexes. supinated position, it tends to pronate as it flexes)
origin: lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus
insertion: distal radius (radial styloid process)

Answer 5

brachioradialis

Question 6

two heads—humeral and ulnar (located mainly in the forearm)
action: pronates the forearm, turning the hand posteriorly
origin: humeral head: medial supracondylar ridge of humerus (common flexor tendon)
ulnar head:coronoid process of ulna
insertion: middle of the lateral surface of the body of the radius

Answer 6

pronator teres

Question 7

most lateral (closest to the thumb) tendon visible when the wrist is brought into flexion.

action: flex and (radial) abduct the hand (flexor of the wrist)
origin: on the medial epicondyle of the humerus. runs just laterally of flexor digitorum superficialis
insertion: on the anterior aspect of the base of the second metacarpal, and has small slips to both the third metacarpal and trapezium tuberosity

Answer 7

flexor carpi radialis

Question 8

(touch 4th finger with thumb) slender, elongated, spindle shaped muscle, lying on the medial side of the flexor carpi radialis

action: wrist flexor
origin: medial epicondyle of humerus (common flexor tendon)
insertion: palmar aponeurosis and flexor retinaculum of the hand

Answer 8

palmaris longus

Question 9

(two heads, humeral and ulnar)

action: flex and adduct the wrist joint
origin: medial epicondyle (common flexor tendon) and medial margin on olecranon of ulna
insertion: pisiform, hook of the hamate, base of the fifth metacarpal bone

Answer 9

flexor carpi ulnaris

Question 10

(ulnar border of the palm of the hand)

action: pull the little finger away from the other fingers
origin: pisiform bone, the pisohamate ligament, and the flexor retinaculum
insertion: base of the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit on the ulnar or medial side

Answer 10

abductor digiti minimi

Question 11

broad muscle in the posterior compartment of the forearm, curved around the upper third of the radius

action: brings the hand into the supinated position, is able to do this in all positions of elbow flexion and extension
origin: lateral epicondyle of humerus, supinator crest of ulna, radial collateral ligament, annular ligament
insertion: lateral proximal radial shaft

Answer 11

supinator

Question 12

passageway on the palmar side of the wrist that connects the forearm to the hand
action: ten structures pass through (most of them flexor tendons) movements in the wrist affect the shape and width

Answer 12

carpal tunnel

Question 13

a fibrous band on the palmar side of the hand near the wrist. It arches over the carpal bones of the hands, covering them and forming the carpal tunnel
action: roof of the carpal tunnel, through which the median nerve and tendons of muscles which flex the hand pass

Answer 13

flexor retinaculum

Question 14

on the back of the forearm, just proximal to the hand
action: holds the tendons of the extensor muscles in place
(fibrous band, extending obliquely downward and medialward across the back of the wrist)

Answer 14

extensor retinaculum

Question 15

quite long, starting on the lateral side of the humerus

action: an extensor at the wrist joint and travels along the radial side of the arm, so will also abduct (radial abduction) the hand at the wrist
origin: lateral supracondylar ridge
insertion: 2nd metacarpal

Answer 15

extensor carpi radialis longus

Question 16

the ulnar side of the forearm

action: extends the wrist, but when acting alone inclines the hand toward the ulnar side
origin: humeral head: lateral epicondyle of the humerus. ulnar head: olecranon, posterior surface of ulna, antebrachial fascia
insertion: 5th metacarpal

Answer 16

extensor carpi ulnaris

Question 17

from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (divides into four tendons)

action: extends the phalanges, then the wrist, and finally the elbow. tends to separate the fingers as it extends them
origin: lateral epicondyle (common extensor tendon)
insertion: extensor expansion of middle and distal phalanges of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers

Answer 17

extensor digitorum

Question 18

slender muscle of the forearm, placed on the ulnar side of the extensor digitorum communis

action: two joint muscle. It acts as an extensor in both joints. extends the wrist (back of hand can touch back of forearm) & extends the little finger
origin: the anterior portion of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (common extensor tendon)
insertion: at the extensor expansion, located at the base of the proximal phalanx of digit V on the dorsal side

Answer 18

extensor digiti minimi

Question 19

brevis: an abductor of the thumb, flat, thin muscle located just under the skin
longus: abduct the thumb at the wrist, below the supinator

Answer 19

abductor pollicis longus