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Anatomy Overview

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MUSCLE ACTIONS OF THE WRIST AND FINGERS (DIGITS 2 – 5)
TABLE KEY: Primary movers Secondary movers
Sagittal Plane Joint Flexion Extension
 

Radiocarpal

Midcarpal

Carpometacarpal

Flexor carpi radialis

Flexor carpi ulnaris

Palmaris longus

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Flexor digitorum profundus

Flexor pollicis longus

Abductor pollicis longus

Extensor carpi radialis brevis

Extensor carpi radialis longus

Extensor carpi ulnaris

Extensor digitorum communis

Extensor indicis

Extensor digiti minimi

Extensor pollicis longus

  Metacarpophalangeal

Interossei (palmar and dorsal)

Lumbricals

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Flexor digitorum profundus

Flexor digiti minimi

Opponens digiti minimi

Extensor digitorum communis

Extensor indicis

Extensor digiti minimi

  Proximal interphalangeal

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Flexor digitorum profundus

Extensor digitorum communis

Extensor indicis

Extensor digiti minimi

Lumbricals

  Distal interphalangeal Flexor digitorum profundus

Extensor digitorum communis

Extensor indicis

Extensor digiti minimi

Lumbricals

Frontal Plane   Radial Deviation/Abduction Ulnar Deviation/Adduction
 

Radiocarpal

Midcarpal

Carpometacarpal

Extensor carpi Radialis longus

Extensor carpi radialis brevis

Extensor indicis

Flexor carpi radialis

Flexor pollicis longus

Extensor carpi ulnaris

Flexor carpi ulnaris

Abductor pollicis longus

Extensor pollicis brevis

Extensor pollicis longus

  Metacarpophalangeal

Dorsal interossei

Abductor digiti minimi

Palmar interossei

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Muscles Proximal Attachment Distal Attachment
Flexor carpi radialis (FCR) Medial epicondyle of humerus (common flexor origin) Base of 2nd metacarpal
Palmaris Longus Medial epicondyle of humerus (common flexor origin) Distal half of flexor retinaculum and apex of palmar aponeurosis
Flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU)

Radial head: medial epicondyle of humerus (common flexor origin)

Ulnar head: Olecranon and posterior border of ulna (via aponeurosis)

Pisiform, hook of hamate, 5th metacarpal
Extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) Lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus. Dorsal aspect of base of 2nd metacarpal
Extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) Lateral epicondyle of humerus (common extensor origin) Dorsal aspect of base of 3rd metacarpal
Extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) Lateral epicondyle of humerus; posterior border of ulna via a shared aponeurosis Dorsal aspect of base of 5th metacarpal
Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS)

Humeroulnar head: Medial epicondyle of humerus, ulnar collateral ligament, and coronoid process of ulna

Radial head: Superior half of anterior border of radius

Bodies of middle phalanges of medial four digits
Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) Proximal three quarters of medial and anterior surfaces of ulna and interosseous membrane Bases of distal phalanges of medial four digits
Extensor digitorum communis Lateral epicondyle of humerus (common extensor origin) Extensor expansions of 2nd–5th digits
Extensor indicis Posterior surface of distal one-third of ulna and interosseous membrane Extensor expansion of 2nd digit
Extensor digiti minimi Lateral epicondyle of humerus (common extensor origin) Extensor expansion of 5th digit
Abductor pollicis longus Posterior surface of proximal half of ulna, radius, and interosseous membrane Base of 1st metacarpal
Extensor pollicis longus Posterior surface of middle one-third of ulna and interosseous membrane Dorsal aspect of base of distal phalanx of thumb
Extensor pollicis brevis Posterior surface of distal one-third of radius and interosseous membrane Dorsal aspect of base of ...

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