FOREARM MUSCLES

GENERAL INFORMATION

The forearm muscles are divided into two main compartments: anterior (flexor) and posterior (extensor). Forearm muscles control wrist, finger, and thumb movements, providing both fine motor control and gross movements. The flexors are primarily responsible for gripping and wrist flexion, while the extensors help extend the wrist and fingers. The forearm muscles also play a crucial role in supination and pronation, allowing the rotation of the forearm.

ORIGIN

The origin of the forearm muscles is as follows:

• Flexor Carpi Radialis: Medial epicondyle of the humerus.

• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Medial epicondyle of the humerus, olecranon, and posterior ulna.

• Palmaris Longus: Medial epicondyle of the humerus.

• Flexor Digitorum Superficialis: Medial epicondyle of the humerus, coronoid process of the ulna, and shaft of the radius.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus.

• Extensor Carpi Ulnaris: Lateral epicondyle of the humerus and posterior border of the ulna.

• Pronator Teres: Medial epicondyle of the humerus and coronoid process of the ulna.

• Brachioradialis: Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus.

INSERTION POINT

• Flexor Carpi Radialis: Base of the second and third metacarpals.

• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Pisiform, the hook of the hamate, and base of the fifth metacarpal.

• Palmaris Longus: Palmar aponeurosis.

• Flexor Digitorum Superficialis: Middle phalanges of fingers 2-5.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Base of the second metacarpal.

• Extensor Carpi Ulnaris: Base of the fifth metacarpal.

• Pronator Teres: Lateral surface of the radius.

• Brachioradialis: Lateral surface of the distal radius.

MAJOR ARTERIES

• Radial Artery: Supplies blood to the lateral aspect of the forearm and hand.

• Ulnar Artery: Supplies blood to the medial aspect of the forearm and hand.

• Anterior And Posterior Interosseous Arteries: Supply the deep muscles of both the anterior and posterior compartments.

NEURAL INNERVATION

• Median Nerve: Innervates most of the flexor muscles, including the flexor carpi radialis and flexor digitorum superficialis.

• Ulnar Nerve: Innervates the flexor carpi ulnaris and medial half of the flexor digitorum profundus.

• Radial Nerve: Innervates the extensor muscles of the forearm, including the extensor carpi radialis longus and brachioradialis.

TRIGGER POINT

Trigger points in the forearm muscles can develop from repetitive use, particularly in the flexor muscles. These trigger points often cause referred pain in the wrist and hand, making it difficult to grip or manipulate objects. Overuse of activities such as typing, gripping tools, or sports like tennis can aggravate these points, leading to chronic discomfort.

CONCENTRIC FUNCTION

• Flexor Carpi Radialis: Flexes and abducts the wrist, which is crucial for gripping and wrist control during activities like throwing.

• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Flexes and adducts the wrist, providing stability during gripping and pushing movements.

• Palmaris Longus: Assists in wrist flexion and helps tense the palmar fascia during hand movements.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Extends and abducts the wrist, which is crucial for wrist extension in pulling and lifting motions.

• Pronator Teres: Pronates the forearm, rotating the palm downwards for functional tasks like turning a doorknob.

• Brachioradialis: Flexes the forearm at the elbow, especially in a neutral hand position, aiding in lifting.

ECCENTRIC FUNCTION

• Flexor Carpi Radialis: Controls the extension of the wrist, ensuring smooth release after gripping.

• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Controls wrist extension and stabilises the wrist during flexion and release movements.

• Palmaris Longus: Provides resistance to wrist extension, helping maintain tension in the hand.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Controls wrist flexion, regulating the downward motion of the wrist after extension.

• Pronator Teres: Eccentrically controls forearm supination, resisting excessive outward rotation.

• Brachioradialis: Controls elbow extension, aiding in lowering the forearm from a flexed position.

ISOMETRIC FUNCTION

The forearm muscles stabilise the wrist, fingers, and forearm during static tasks such as holding a heavy object or gripping tightly. Flexor carpi radialis, and extensor carpi radialis longus work together to stabilise the wrist during precision tasks, while the pronator teres help maintain forearm rotation stability.

RELATED MUSCLE – SCIENTIFIC NAMES

• Flexor Digitorum Profundus: Assists in flexing the fingers and stabilising the hand during gripping.

• Extensor Digitorum: Works with extensor carpi radialis to extend the fingers and wrist.

• Supinator: Assists in forearm supination, opposing the pronator muscles.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis: Works with the extensor carpi radialis longus to extend the wrist.

• Pronator Quadratus: Works with the pronator teres to rotate the forearm.

ANTAGONIST

• Extensor Carpi Ulnaris: Opposes the flexor carpi ulnaris by extending the wrist.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Opposes flexion of the wrist by working against the flexor carpi radialis.

• Supinator: Opposes the action of the pronator teres by rotating the forearm in the opposite direction.

• Extensor Digitorum: Extends the fingers, working in opposition to the flexor digitorum superficialis.

• Triceps Brachii: Extends the elbow, working against the flexion of the brachioradialis.

COMMON INJURIES

• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Inflammation of the extensor tendons at the lateral epicondyle due to repetitive wrist extension and gripping.

• Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Inflammation of the flexor tendons at the medial epicondyle caused by repetitive wrist flexion and gripping.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and fingers.

• Flexor Tendonitis: Inflammation of the flexor tendons due to overuse, leading to pain during gripping and wrist flexion.

• Forearm Strains: Overuse or sudden force can cause muscle strains, leading to pain and weakness in the forearm.

EXERCISES

• Wrist Curls (Flexion): Hold a dumbbell with palms up, flex the wrist to strengthen the flexor carpi muscles and improve grip strength.

• Reverse Wrist Curls (Extension): Hold a dumbbell with palms down and lift the wrist to strengthen the extensor muscles and improve wrist stability.

• Farmer’s Walk: Grip heavy dumbbells and walk, engaging the flexor muscles to improve overall grip and forearm strength.

• Hammer Curls: Hold a dumbbell in a neutral grip and curl it towards the shoulder, engaging the brachioradialis and improving forearm flexion strength.

• Pronation And Supination With Dumbbell: Hold a dumbbell vertically and rotate the forearm, targeting the pronator teres and supinator muscles.

STRETCHES

• Wrist Flexor Stretch: Extend the arm forward, palm up, and gently pull back on the fingers to stretch the flexor muscles.

• Wrist Extensor Stretch: Extend the arm forward, palm down, and gently press the back of the hand to stretch the extensor muscles.

• Pronator Stretch: Hold the arm in a palm-up position and rotate it inward to stretch the pronator teres and improve mobility.

• Supinator Stretch: Rotate the arm from a palm-down position to a palm-up, stretching the supinator and improving forearm rotation.

• Finger Stretch: Spread the fingers wide and hold the stretch to relieve tension in the flexor and extensor muscles.