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Flexor muscles are those that contract to perform flexion, a movement that decreases the angle between the bones converging at a joint. For example, the elbow joint flexes when the hand is brought closer to the shoulder, thus decreasing the angle between the upper arm and the forearm. Flexor muscles are present in the hands, feet, and hips. The muscles of the upper arm, for example, are responsible for the flexion and extension of the forearm at the elbow joint. Flexor muscles are also involved in postural stability and elevating the torso from a supine position.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A muscle that contracts to perform flexion (from the Latin verb "flectere", meaning "to bend") |
| Function | Decreases the angle between the bones converging at a joint, e.g. bending the elbow or knee |
| Examples | Flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis longus, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digiti minimi brevis pedis, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor pollicis longus, pronator quadratus, brachialis, brachioradialis, and brachial biceps |
| Location | Forearm, hand, wrist, foot, fingers, toes |
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What You'll Learn
- Flexor muscles decrease the angle between bones on two sides of a joint, e.g. bending the elbow or knee
- The flexor digitorum profundus is a deep muscle that bends the fingers near their tips
- The flexor digitorum longus and brevis in the foot act on the four smaller toes
- The flexor muscles of the wrist joint are also called the long flexors
- The iliopsoas is the body's most important hip flexor
Flexor muscles decrease the angle between bones on two sides of a joint, e.g. bending the elbow or knee
In anatomy, a flexor muscle is one that contracts to perform flexion, or bending. This movement decreases the angle between the bones converging at a joint. For example, the elbow joint flexes when the hand is brought closer to the shoulder, decreasing the angle between the upper arm and forearm.
The flexor system of the hand consists of the flexor muscles of the forearm, their tendinous extensions, and the digital flexor sheaths. These components work together to produce smooth and efficient flexion of the individual digits of the hand. The digital flexor muscles include the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), and the FPL. The FDP and FDS tendons of the fingers cross five regions: the wrist, the carpal tunnel, and the part of the palm extending from the exit of the carpal tunnel. The FDP tendon then enters the A1 pulley of the fibro-osseous tunnel and, at the level of the proximal phalanx, passes through the split of the FDS to insert itself at the base of the distal phalanges. The FDP muscle primarily flexes the DIP joints of the fingers but also contributes to the flexion of the PIP, MCP, and wrist joints.
The flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris stretch from the humerus (upper-arm bone) along the inside of the forearm to the metacarpal bones of the hand and flex the wrist. The flexor digitorum profundus is a deep muscle that originates at the ulna (bone of the forearm) and acts to bend the fingers near their tips. The flexor digitorum superficialis is closer to the surface; it originates at two points, one at the junction of the humerus and ulna and the other along the radius (bone of the forearm).
In the foot, the flexor digitorum longus and flexor digitorum brevis originate at the tibia (shinbone) and calcaneus (heel bone), respectively, and act upon the four smaller toes. The flexor hallucis longus and flexor hallucis brevis originate in the calf and near the heel, respectively, and flex the great toe. The flexor digiti minimi brevis pedis acts upon the smallest toe.
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The flexor digitorum profundus is a deep muscle that bends the fingers near their tips
The flexor digitorum profundus is a composite muscle, innervated by the anterior interosseous nerve and ulnar nerves. The medial aspect of the muscle, which flexes the fourth and fifth digits, is supplied by the ulnar nerve. The lateral aspect, which flexes the second and third digits, is supplied by the median nerve. The median nerve travels distally between the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus.
The flexor digitorum profundus originates in the upper three-quarters of the anterior and medial surfaces of the ulna, the interosseous membrane, and the deep fascia of the forearm. The muscle fans out into four tendons, one for each of the second to fifth fingers, and attaches to the palmar base of the distal phalanx. The muscle fibres are arranged so that the medial part of the muscle inserts into the fourth and fifth digits, while the lateral part inserts into the second and third digits.
The flexor digitorum profundus is the chief gripping muscle of the hand. It acts best when the wrist is extended. It is the sole flexor of the distal interphalangeal joint of the second to fifth digits. It also acts as a flexor of the midcarpal (wrist), metacarpophalangeal, and proximal interphalangeal joints of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers. The tension generated by the flexor digitorum profundus at the more distal joints is determined by wrist position. Flexion of the wrist causes muscle shortening, reducing the tension that can be generated more distally.
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The flexor digitorum longus and brevis in the foot act on the four smaller toes
Flexor muscles are those that contract to perform flexion, a movement that decreases the angle between the bones converging at a joint. For example, the elbow joint flexes when the hand is brought closer to the shoulder, thus decreasing the angle between the upper arm and the forearm.
The flexor digitorum longus and flexor digitorum brevis in the foot act on the four smaller toes. The flexor digitorum longus is a long muscle in the posterior compartment of the leg that acts on four different joints: the talocrural (ankle joint), talocalcaneal (subtalar joint), metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. This muscle originates from the tibia (shinbone) and flexes the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes, allowing them to grip the surface of the floor. This is important for maintaining balance, especially on rough or uneven surfaces. The flexor digitorum longus also aids in plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle, helping to propel the body forward during walking, running, or jumping.
The flexor digitorum brevis, on the other hand, originates from the calcaneus (heel bone). The four tendons of the flexor digitorum longus run deep to the corresponding tendons of the flexor digitorum brevis. Before attaching to the base of the distal phalanges, the tendons of the flexor digitorum longus pass through a tunnel bounded by the tendons of the flexor digitorum brevis. The quadratus plantae muscle also contributes to the stability and strength of the flexor digitorum longus by attaching to its tendons.
Together, the flexor digitorum longus and brevis muscles play a crucial role in the gait cycle. When the foot is off the ground, the flexor digitorum longus flexes the four lateral toes, starting with the distal interphalangeal joints, followed by the proximal interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. When the foot is placed on the ground, these muscles work together with the lumbrical and interossei muscles to maintain balance by keeping the toes in firm contact with the ground.
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The flexor muscles of the wrist joint are also called the long flexors
Flexor muscles are those that contract to perform flexion, a movement that decreases the angle between the bones converging at a joint. For example, the elbow joint flexes when the hand is brought closer to the shoulder, thus decreasing the angle between the upper arm and the forearm.
The flexor muscles of the wrist joint arise from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, radius, and ulna and are inserted into the metacarpal bones. As a group, these muscles are called the long flexors to distinguish them from shorter flexors found more distally. The long flexors run to the metacarpals and phalanges. The flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris stretch from the humerus (upper-arm bone) along the inside of the forearm to the metacarpal bones of the hand and flex the wrist.
The long flexor muscles contract and manifest flexion in the hand. Due to the different locations of the tendon attachments, flexion will occur at the joint where the tendon is attached closest. The contraction of the flexor carpi radialis muscle causes the hand to flex laterally. The flexor digitorum profundus is a deep muscle that originates at the ulna (bone of the forearm) and acts to bend the fingers near their tips. The flexor digitorum superficialis is closer to the surface; it originates at two points, one at the junction of the humerus and ulna and the other along the radius (bone of the forearm).
The flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis muscles pass under the transverse carpal ligament. Once they have passed this point, the individual tendons will divide with their separate tendons sheaths towards the digits. The flexor pollicis longus, the flexor carpi radialis, and the flexor carpi ulnaris muscles have their own tendon sheaths. The flexor pollicis longus has its origin from the anterior surface of the radius. The flexor pollicis longus muscle inserts on the thumb at the distal phalanx. When the flexor pollicis muscle contracts, it will cause the thumb to flex toward the palm.
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The iliopsoas is the body's most important hip flexor
The iliopsoas muscle is the body's most important hip flexor. It is a composite muscle formed from the psoas major muscle and the iliacus muscle. The psoas major is a thick and powerful muscle located on the posterior abdominal wall, while the iliacus originates in the iliac fossa of the pelvis. These two muscles are separate in the abdomen but usually merge in the thigh, joining to the femur at the lesser trochanter.
The iliopsoas muscle is responsible for the flexion of the hip joint. This movement involves decreasing the angle between the bones that converge at the joint, resulting in bending or flexing. In the case of the iliopsoas, it allows for the flexion of the thigh at the hip joint. This action is crucial for various daily activities such as walking, getting in and out of cars, and even putting on shoes and socks. The iliopsoas is also essential for more dynamic movements like running and changing postures.
The psoas major and iliacus muscles work together to produce powerful hip flexion. When they contract simultaneously, they generate a strong force that enables the leg to flex inwards towards the hip. This action provides stability to the hip joint and ensures smooth and efficient flexion. The iliopsoas muscle is so important for hip flexion that without it, flexion in a sitting position across the horizontal plane would not be possible.
Injuries to the iliopsoas can be extremely painful and debilitating. Common injuries include strains and tears, which can vary in severity from grade one to grade three. A grade one tear involves only a few damaged muscle fibres, while a grade three tear results in a complete tear of the muscle fibres. If left untreated, hip flexor injuries can lead to other serious conditions, including hip labral tears, osteoarthritis, or muscle atrophy. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical advice from an orthopedic hip specialist when a hip flexor injury is suspected.
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Frequently asked questions
Flexor muscles are muscles that contract to perform flexion, a movement that decreases the angle between the bones converging at a joint.
Some examples of flexor muscles in the arm include the flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis, and flexor digitorum profundus.
Some examples of flexor muscles in the leg include the flexor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis longus, and flexor hallucis brevis.
One common issue that can arise with the flexor muscles in the arm is carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by inflammation in the wrist due to repetitive stress or trauma. In the hip, overactivity and tightness of the flexor muscles can lead to Lower Crossed Syndrome (LCS).
