BMS107 Guide to Upper Limb Movements

anterior to posterior to medial to lateral to
shoulder flexes arm extends arm adducts arm abducts arm
elbow flexes forearm extends forearm
-
-
wrist flexes wrist/digits extends wrist/digits adducts hand
("ulnaris" muscles)
abducts hand
("radialis" muscles)


Following are some generalizations about the muscles of the forearm.
Not all forearm muscles comply with the stated generalizations.
FLEXORS
EXTENSORS
location anterior (ventral) forearm posterior (dorsal) forearm
origin on or near medial epicondyle of humerus on or near lateral epicondyle of humerus
remarks includes pronator teres includes supinator

"You Can Tell A Lot From A Name"
Many of the muscles of the forearm have names that include three words. Generally...
  1. The first word tells you the action of the muscle (flexor, extensor, etc.).
  2. The second word tells you what the muscle flexes or extends.
    • "__________carpi__________" muscles generally insert on metacarpals and flex or extend the carpus (wrist).
    • "__________digitorum__________" muscles generally insert on phalanges and flex or extend the digits.
  3. The third word (ulnaris or radialis) tells you whether the muscle is located on the medial (ulnar) side of the forearm or the lateral (radial) side of the forearm. Additionally,
    • the "ulnaris" muscles include adduction of the hand among their functions
    • the "radialis" muscles include abduction of the hand among their functions

Upper Appendicular Muscles Lists: Regular Version | Self-Quiz Version
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April 2008