MUSCLES-SUPERFICIAL FLEXORS OF FOREARM

SUMMARY

1. Pronator Teres: main head arises from common flexor origin & medial supracondylar ridge. Deep head arises from the medial border of the coronoid process. The muscle inserts into the lateral convexity of the radius. Supplied by the median nerve. Pronates the forearm & flexes the elbow. The median n. passes b/w the two heads. The ulnar a. passes deep to the deep head.

2. Flexor carpi radialis: arises from the common flexor origin. Inserted into the 2nd & 3rd MC base. Supplied by the median nerve. Flexes, abducts & stabilizes the wrist (whilst moving the fingers & thumb).

3. Palmaris longus: functionally negligible and absent in 13% of arms. Arises from the common flexor origin. Inserted into the palmar aponeurosis. Supplied by the median nerve. Weak flexor of the wrist.

4. Flexor digitorum superficialis: described as an intermediate flexors of the forearm.

5. Flexor carpi ulnaris: humeral head arises from common flexor origin. Ulnar head arises from the medial olecranon & subcutaneous border of ulna. Inserts into the pisiform, hook of hamate & 5th MC base. Supplied by the ulnar nerve. Flexes & adducts the wrist. The ulnar nerve enters the flexor compartment by passing b/w the humeral & ulnar heads of this muscle.



Image: Gray, Henry. Anatomy of the Human Body. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1918; Bartleby.com, 2000. www.bartleby.com/107/ [Accessed 17 Apr. 2020].

Reference(s)

R.M.H McMinn (1998). Last’s anatomy: regional and applied. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Gray, H., Carter, H.V. and Davidson, G. (2017). Gray’s anatomy. London: Arcturus.