1. Muscles of the Forearm
Dr. Sama ul Haque

2. Objectives
Identify the muscles in the anterior and posterior compartments of the forearm in terms of their origin, insertion, nerve supply and actions.
Know the neurovascular structures in the anterior and posterior compartments of the forearm.
Discuss the functions of the muscles in the anterior and posterior compartment of the forearm.

3. Functional organization of Anterior and posterior Compartments of forearm.

4. Names of the Muscles of forearm
Long names: good guide to location and function
Location: ie. superficial / deep
radial / ulnar
Function: ie. flexor / extensor
adductor / abductor
Does it act on the thumb (pollux) or the fingers (digits)?

5. Functional Organization
Anterior compartment – flexor / pronator
Posterior Compartment – extensor / supinator
Flex the wrist ………[flexor]
Extend the wrist ……..[extensor]
Pronate the forearm ……..[pronator]
Acting on wrist (carpus) only ……[carpi]
Acting on fingers ……..[digiti / digitorum]
Acting on thumb (pollux) ……[pollicus]

6. Flexion / Extension at the wrist joint.

7. Adduction / abduction at the wrist joint.

8. X X Movements of fingers. Metacarpophalangeal (condyloid joints):
flexion / extension and abduction / adduction
Interphalangeal (hinge joints): flexion / extension X X

9. Movements of the thumb – a specialized digit, occur at
right angles to the fingers. Mainly at the Carpometacarpal
(saddle) joint. MCP – condyloid; IP – hinge (like fingers).

10. Radius
and Ulna

11. Radius
and
Ulna
(Pronated)

12. Muscles of the anterior compartment of forearm

13. Muscles of the anterior compartment of forearm

14. Anterior Compartment of forearm
Pronator teres
Superficial:
Common flexor origin
Pronator Teres
Flexor Carpi Radialis
Palmaris Longus
Flexor Digitorum
Superficialis,
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
Brachioradialis
flexor carpi radialis
Palmaris longus
flexor digitorum superficialis
flexor carpi ulnaris

15. Functional organization: Only flex at the wrist. Flexor carpi radialis
Anterior Compartment of forearm
Functional organization:
Only flex at the wrist.
Flexor carpi radialis
Palmaris longus
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Flexor Carpi Radialis
Palmaris Longus
Flexor Carpi ulnaris

16. Anterior Compartment of forearm

17. Deep Dissection Forearm (Anterior)

18. Neurovasculature of Anterior Compartment of forearm

19. Muscles of the posterior compartment of forearm

20. Muscles of the posterior compartment of forearm

21. Muscles of the posterior compartment of forearm

22. Muscles of Forearm

23. Muscles of the Forearm (Post. View)
Anconeus

24. Posterior Forearm (Superficial dissection)
Nerve Supply
Radial Nerve
Anatomical snuff box

25. Functional Organization:
Deep Posterior Compartment
Abductor Pollicis Longus
Extensor Pollicis Brevis
Extensor Pollicis Longus
Extensor Indicis
Supinator
Functional Organization:
Extend Hand At Wrist
Extend / Abduct Thumb
Extend Index Finger
Supinate
abductor polliucis longus
extensor pollicis brevis
extensor pollicis longus
extensor indicis

26. Deep Dissection Forearm (Posterior)

27. Superior and Inferior radioulnar Joints
Superior radioulnar Joint:
Head of radius articulates with radial notch of ulna
Type: Pivot joint).
It is held in place by the annular ligament.
Radio-ulnar articulation is stabilized by interosseous
membrane.
Inferior radioulnar Joint:

28. Supination and Pronation

30. Course of radial and ulnar arteries in forearm

31. Neurovasculature (deep). Lateral: radial artery radial nerve Midline:
median nerve
anterior interosseus a.
anterior interosseus n.
(deep branch of median)
Medial:
ulnar artery
(gives off common interosseus artery divides into anterior and posterior branches)
ulner nerve
radial n
ulnar a
radial a.
ulnar n
median n
anterior interosseus a + n

32. Radial nerve and its branches supply
Neurovasculature.
Radial nerve and its branches supply
all muscles in posterior compartment, including Brachioradialis (!).
- superficial radial nerve
- deep radial nerve
- posterior interosseous nerve.
Posterior interosseous artery runs between superficial and deep muscles
Brachioradialis
Deep branch
posterior interosseus branch
Superficial branch

33. Radial & Ulnar Arteries
lateral
medial
Radial artery
Ulnar artery
Common interosseous
Anterior
Posterior
Dorsal and palmer carpal branches
Dorsal and palmer carpal branches
Deep (superficial) palmar arches
superficial (deep)palmar arches

34. RELATION OF ARTERIES, NERVES AND TENDONS AT THE WRIST NANAN
Superficial Radial Nerve
Radial Artery
Median Nerve
Ulnar Artery
Ulnar Nerve
MOVING LATERAL TO MEDIAL
1-9
Brachioradialis
Superficial Radial n.
Radial Artery
Flexor Carpi Radialis
5. Median Nerve
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
Ulnar Artery
Ulnar Nerve
9. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
Pulanous Longous
Thumb

35. Thank you