Dorsal Forearm and Hand: Muscles

Dorsal Forearm and Hand: Muscles and Clinical Correlates

Muscle Brachioradialis Extensor carpi radialis longus Extensor carpi radialis brevis Extensor digitorum Innervation Radial nerve Radial nerve Deep branch of Radial nerve Function Relatively weak flexion of forearm, maximal when forearm is in midpronated position Extend and abduct hand at the wrist joint

Extensor digiti minimi Extensor carpi ulnaris Supinator Abductor pollicis longus

Extensor pollicis longus

Extensor pollicis brevis Extensor indicis Anconeus

Extend and abduct hand at wrist joint during fist clenching Extends medial four fingers primarily at Posterior metacarpophalangeal joints, secondarily at interosseous nerve interphalangeal joints Extends 5th finger primarily at Posterior metacarpophalangeal joint, secondarily at interosseous nerve interphalangeal joint Posterior Extends and adducts hand at wrist joint interosseous nerve (also active during fist clenching supinates forearm; rotates radius to turn Deep branch of palm anteriorly or superiorly (if elbow is Radial nerve flexed) Posterior interosseous abducts thumb and extends it at nerve carpometacarpal joint Extends distal phalanx of thumb at Posterior interosseous interphalangeal joint; extends nerve metacarpophalangeal and carpometacarpal joints Extends proximal phalanx of thumb at Posterior interosseous metacarpophalangeal joint; extends nerve carpometacarpal joint Posterior Extends 2nd finger (enables its independent interosseous nerve extension), helps extend hand at wrist abduct 2nd-4th fingers from axial line, act with lumbricals in flexing metacarpophalangeal joints and extending interphalangeal joints

other

Deep layer

Superficial layer

Dorsal interossei

deep branch of ulnar nerve (C8, T1)

Affected structure Superficial extensor muscles

Clinical correlate elbow tendonitis: repetitive use of superficial extensor muscles of forearm. Pain radiating down posterior surface of forearm. Repeated forceful flexion and extension of the wrist strain the attachment of the common extensor tendon --> inflammation of lateral epicondyle (lateral epicondylitis) distal attachment is common site for synovial cysts mallet/baseball finger: distal interphalangeal joint is suddenly hyperflexed, resulting in detachment of long extensor tendon from distal phalanx. As a result, person is unable to extend the DIP joint.

Carpi radialis brevis Long extensor tendon and DIP joint