Superficial layer

FLEXOR MUSCLES - SUPERFICIAL LAYER

Pronator teres

  • It is a very small, feeble and vestigeal muscle situated along the medial face of the elbow joint, closely blended with the medial lateral ligament.
  • Origin: Medial epicondyle of the humerus.
  • Insertion: Upper part of the medial border of the radius.
  • Action: Inappreciable as it is vestigeal.
  • Blood supply: Median artery.
  • Nerve supply: Median nerve.

Flexor carpi radialis (Medial flexor of the carpus)

  • This is a narrow muscle placed immediately behind the preceding.
  • Origin: Medial epicondyle of the humerus. The tendon is provided with a synovial sheath above the carpus.
  • Insertion: A tubercle on the postero-medial part of the upper extremity of the large metacarpal bone.
  • Action: To flex the carpus and extend the elbow.
  • Blood supply: Median artery.
  • Nerve supply: Median nerve

Flexor carpi ulnaris (Middle flexor of the carpus)

  • This is a wide muscle situated behind the preceding and covers the medial surface of the forearm.
  • Origin: Has two heads of origin - humeral head from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and ulnar head from the medial face of the olecranon.
  • Insertion: The supero-medial half of the accessory carpal bone.
  • Action: To flex the carpus and extend the elbow.
  • Blood supply: Median artery.
  • Nerve supply: Ulnar nerve.

Ulnaris lateralis (Flexor metacarpi externus)

  • It is a large, thick muscle situated behind the lateral digital extensor.
  • Origin: Lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
  • Insertion: By a short thick tendon to the supero-lateral half to the carpal bone and by a narrow long tendon to the lateral aspect of the upper extremity of the large metacarpal.
  • Action: To flex the carpus and extend the elbow.
  • Blood supply: Collateral radial artery.
  • Nerve supply: Radial nerve.  
Last modified: Thursday, 13 October 2011, 11:30 AM