Forearm, Wrist, and Hand

Muscles that move them: (Name, Origin, Insertion, Action)

Elbow

Flexors:
- Biceps brachii – coracoid process (short head) and body (long head) of scapula – tuberosity of radius – flexes elbow and supinates forearm by rotation at radioulnar joints
- Brachialis – anterior and distal surface of humerus – tuberosity of ulna – flexes elbow
- Brachioradialis – lateral epicondyle of humerus – styloid process of radius – flexes elbow
Extensor:
- Triceps brachii – superior, posterior, and lateral margins of humerus and the scapula - olecranon process of ulna at elbow – extends elbow
Pronators/supinator:
- Pronator quadratus – medial surface of distal portion of ulna – anterior and lateral surface of distal portion of radius – pronates forearm by rotation at radioulnar joints
- Pronator teres – medial epicondyle of humerus and coronoid process of ulna – distal lateral surface – pronates forearm by rotaion at radioulnar joints
- Supinator – lateral epicondyle of humerus and ulna – anterior and lateral surface of radius distal to the radial tuberosity

Wrist

Flexors:
- Flexor carpi radialis – medial epicondyle of humerus – bases of 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones – flexes and abducts wrist
- Flexor carpi ulnaris – medial epicondyle of humerus and adjacent surfaces of ulna – pisiform bone, hamate bone, and base of 5th metacarpal bone – flexes and adducts wrist
- Palmaris longus – medial epicondyle of humerus – a tendinous sheet on the palm – flexes wrist
Extensors:
- Extensor carpi radialis – distal lateral surface and lateral epicondyle of humerus – bases of 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones – extends and adducts wrist
- Extensor carpi ulnaris – lateral epicondyle of humerus and adjacent surface of ulna – base of 5th metacarpal bone – extends and adducts wrist

Hand

Flexor digitorum – proximal medial and anterior surface of ulna and radius – medial epicondyle of humerus – distal phalanges – flexes finger joints
Extensor digitorum – lateral epicondyle of humerus – posterior surfaces of the phalanges – extends wrist and finger joints

This page was updated in December 2005.