Anterior Forearm Muscles (Forearm Flexors)

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Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

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Last updated:

19/01/2024
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Della Barnes, MS Anatomy
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Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

The forearm (antebrachium) is the part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist. All the muscles in the forearm are divided into two compartments, the anterior and posterior. The anterior compartment contains all the muscles at the front of the forearm, that is, the side of the palm. The 8 muscles in the anterior compartment all act to flex the forearm and hand and thus are also known as the forearm flexors.

These muscles lay in different layers within the anterior aspect of the forearm, further classified into superficial, intermediate, and deep groups.

Muscles of the Anterior Forearm (Flexors)
Muscle NameLocation LayerOriginInsertionActionInnervation
1. Pronator teresSuperficialMedial epicondyle of the humerus via the common flexor tendon; The coronoid process of ulnaLateral surface of radiusPronating the forearm; Flexing the wristMedian nerve (C6, C7)
2. Flexor carpi radialisSuperficialVia common flexor tendon2nd and 3rd metacarpal baseFlexing and abducting the wristMedian nerve (C6, C7)
3. Palmaris longusSuperficialVia common flexor tendonInto the flexor retinaculum on its distal sideTightening the grip of hand; Flexing the wristMedian nerve (C6, C7)
4. Flexor carpi ulnarisSuperficialVia common flexor tendon; The olecranon of ulnaPisiform and hamate (carpal bones), and 5th metacarpal baseFlexing and abducting the wristUlnar nerve (C7, C8, T1)
5. Flexor digitorum superficialisIntermediateVia common flexor tendon; The coronoid process of ulna; Anterior border of proximal radius2nd to 5th middle phalangeal basesFlexing the index finger to little fingerMedian nerve (C6, C7, T1)
6. Flexor digitorum profundusDeepAnterior and medial surfaces of proximal ulna; Interosseous membrane2nd to 5th distal phalangeal basesFlexing the index finger to little finger, and the wrist (secondary)Median nerve (C8 and T1); Ulnar nerve (C8 and T1)
7. Flexor pollicis longusDeepAnterior surface of radius; Interosseous membraneBase of the distal phalanx of the thumbFlexing the thumbAnterior interosseous nerve (C8, T1)
8. Pronator quadratusDeepAnterior surface of distal ulnaAnterior surface of distal radiusPornating the forearmAnterior interosseous nerve (C8, T1)

All the muscles in the flexor group receive their blood supply from various branches of the ulnar and radial arteries.

FAQs

Q.1. Which is the strongest flexor of the forearm?

Ans. Interestingly, the strongest flexor of the forearm at the elbow is the brachialis, which is an upper arm muscle. The flexors in the anterior compartment primarily work at the wrist and hand, with the strongest flexor of the wrist joint being the flexor carpi ulnaris.

Q.2. Which nerve supplies most of the forearm flexors?

Ans. As evident from the table above, most of the muscles in the forearm flexor group are innervated by the median nerve, with help from the ulnar nerve.

References

  1. Muscles in the Anterior Compartment of the Forearm: TeachMeAnatomy.info
  2. Superficial Anterior Forearm MusclesKenHub.com
  3. Deep Anterior Forearm Muscles: KenHub.com
  4. Muscles of the Anterior Forearm – Superficial View: LearnMuscles.com
  5. Anterior Compartment of the Forearm: RadioPaedia.org
Avatar photo
Della Barnes, MS AnatomyUX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

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