Origin

Humeral head: Common flexor origin on the anterior aspect of the medial epicondyle of humerus, and area immediately above (i.e. lower medial end of humerus).

Ulnar head: Coronoid process of the ulna (i.e. area on front of upper part of shaft of ulna).

Insertion

Middle of lateral surface of radius.

Action

Pronates forearm. Assists flexion of elbow joint.

Nerve

Median nerve, C6, 7.

Basic functional movement

Examples: Pouring liquid from a container. Turning a doorknob.

Sports that heavily utilise this muscle

Examples: Batting in cricket. Hockey dribbling. Volleyball smash.

Strengthening exercise

Pronation with strength bar

Self stretch

Weight of stick increases supination via gravity.

Includes: flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris.

Origin

Common flexor origin on the anterior aspect of the medial epicondyle of humerus (i.e. lower medial end of humerus).

Insertion

Carpals, metacarpals and phalanges.

Action

Flex the wrist (flexor carpi radialis also abducts the wrist; flexor carpi ulnaris also adducts the wrist).

Nerve

Flexor carpi radialis: Median nerve, C6, 7, 8.

Palmaris longus: Median nerve, C(6), 7, 8, T1.

Flexor carpi ulnaris: Ulnar nerve, C7, 8, T1.

Basic functional movement

Examples: Pulling rope in towards you. Wielding an axe or hammer.

Sports that heavily utilise these muscles

Examples: Sailing. Water skiing. Golf. Baseball. Cricket. Volleyball.

Movements or injuries that may damage these muscles

Overextending the wrist resulting from breaking a fall with the hand.

Common problems when muscles are chronically tight / shortened / overused

Golfer’s elbow (overuse tendonitis of common flexor origin), carpal tunnel syndrome.

Strengthening exercises

Biceps curl

Wrist rolling (palm up)

Wrist curl

Self stretches

Use one hand to gently lever the other wrist into extension.

Includes flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus.

Origin

Superficialis: Common flexor tendon on medial epicondyle of humerus. Coronoid process of ulna. Anterior border of radius.

Profundus: Medial and anterior surfaces of the ulna.

Insertion

Superficialis: Sides of the middle phalanges of the four fingers.

Profundus: Base of distal phalanges.

Action

Superficialis: Flexes the middle phalanges of each finger. Can help flex the wrist. Profundus: Flexes distal phalanges (the only muscle able to do so).

Nerve

Superficialis: Median nerve, C7, 8, T1.

Profundus: Medial half of muscle, ulnar nerve, C7, 8, T1.

Lateral half of muscle, median nerve, C7, 8, T1.

Sometimes the ulnar nerve supplies the whole muscle.

Basic functional movement

Examples: ‘Hook grip’, as in carrying a briefcase. ‘Power grip’, as in turning a tap. Typing. Playing the piano and some stringed instruments.

Sports that heavily utilise these muscles

Examples: Archery. Maintaining grip in racket and batting sports. Judo. Rowing. Rock-face climbing.

Movements or injuries that may damage these muscles

Overextending the wrist resulting from breaking a fall with the hand.

Common problems when muscles are chronically tight / shortened / overused

Golfer’s elbow (overuse tendonitis of common flexor origin). Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Strengthening exercises

Biceps curl

Chin-ups

Exer. ring finger flexion

Self stretch

Gently pull each finger in turn into extension.

The brachioradialis forms the lateral border of the cubital fossa. The muscle belly is prominent when working against resistance. Part of the superficial group.

Origin

Upper two-thirds of the anterior aspect of lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus (i.e. lateral part of shaft of humerus, 5–7.5cms (2–3″) above elbow joint).

Insertion

Lower lateral end of radius, just above the styloid process.

Action

Flexes elbow joint. Assists in pronating and supinating forearm when these movements are resisted.

Nerve

Radial nerve, C5, 6.

Basic functional movement

Example: Turning a cork screw.

Sports that heavily utilise this muscle

Examples: Baseball. Cricket. Golf. Racket sports. Rowing.

Strengthening exercises

Biceps curl

Chin-ups

Upright rowing

Self stretch

Pronate and supinate forearm.

Part of the deep group. Supinator is almost entirely concealed by the superficial muscles.

Origin

Lower lateral end of humerus (lateral epicondyle) and upper lateral end of ulna, and associated ligaments.

Insertion

Dorsal and lateral surfaces of upper third of radius.

Action

Supinates forearm.

Nerve

Deep radial nerve, C5, 6, (7).

Basic functional movement

Examples: Turning a door handle, or screwdriver.

Sports that heavily utilise this muscle

Example: Backhand in racket sports.