
The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) is a muscle in the forearm that flexes the fingers, also known as digits. It is an extrinsic hand muscle, acting on the hand while its muscle belly is located in the forearm. The flexor digitorum profundus is the chief gripping muscle, acting best when the wrist is extended. It is the sole flexor of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of the second to the fifth digits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Flexor Digitorum Profundus (FDP) |
| Muscle Type | Forearm muscle |
| Function | Flexes the fingers (digits) |
| Location | Deep volar forearm compartment |
| Innervation | Anterior interosseous nerve and ulnar nerves |
| Blood Supply | Inferior ulnar collateral, ulnar recurrent arteries, ulnar artery, common interosseous artery |
| Attachments | Proximal three-fourths of the medial and anterior ulnar surfaces, interosseous membrane, coronoid process of ulna, aponeurosis of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle |
| Tendon Insertions | Bases of the distal phalanges of digits 2-5 |
| Action | Flexion of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints |
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What You'll Learn

The flexor digitorum profundus is a forearm muscle
The flexor digitorum profundus is a fusiform muscle, located deep within the anterior (flexor) compartment of the forearm. It is one of the deep muscles of the anterior compartment (deep volar compartment). The muscle originates in the upper 3/4 of the anterior and medial surfaces of the ulna, interosseous membrane, and deep fascia of the forearm. It extends from the proximal part of the ulna to the distal phalanges of the 2nd to 5th digits. The muscle fibres are arranged so that the medial part of the muscle inserts into digits 4 and 5, while the lateral part inserts into digits 2 and 3.
The flexor digitorum profundus has four tendons that fan out to the palmar base of the distal phalanx, one for each of the second to fifth fingers. These tendons pass through the tendons of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle, attaching to the distal phalanx. This is why the profundus is also called the perforating muscle. The lumbricals of the hand, or the intrinsic muscles of the hand, attach to the tendons of the flexor digitorum profundus. This allows the flexor muscle to aid the lumbricals in fully extending the fingers at the interphalangeal joints and flexing the metacarpophalangeal joints.
The flexor digitorum profundus is a hybrid muscle supplied by two different nerves. The medial half, associated with the ring and little fingers, is innervated by the ulnar nerve, while the lateral half, associated with the middle and index fingers, is innervated by the anterior interosseous nerve, a motor branch of the median nerve. The flexor digitorum profundus is supplied by the anterior interosseous artery, a branch of the common interosseous artery.
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It is an extrinsic hand muscle
The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) is an extrinsic hand muscle. It is a muscle in the forearm of humans that flexes the fingers, also known as digits. The name flexor digitorum profundus is derived from Latin and means "deep bender of the fingers". The muscle is located deep within the anterior (flexor) compartment of the forearm.
The FDP is one of the deep muscles of the anterior compartment (deep volar compartment) of the forearm. It acts as the main gripping power of the hand because the tendons of the FDP arise at or below the wrist joint. The muscle fans out into four tendons, one for each of the second to fifth fingers, which attach to the palmar base of the distal phalanx. The FDP tendons insert into the bases of the medial four distal phalanges, deep to the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons.
The FDP is a hybrid muscle supplied by two different nerves. The medial half, which is associated with the ring and little fingers, is innervated by the ulnar nerve. The lateral half, associated with the middle and index fingers, is innervated by the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) or the motor branch of the median nerve. The FDP is supplied by the anterior interosseous artery, a branch of the common interosseous artery.
The FDP is a powerful flexor of the fingers. It causes flexion of the digits 2-5 at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. The FDP is the only muscle that can flex the distal phalanges of the medial 4 digits at the DIP joints. It also assists in flexing the hand and wrist. The FDP's attachment to the lumbricals allows it to aid in fully extending the interphalangeal (IP) joints and flexing the MCP joints.
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It is a deep muscle
The flexor digitorum profundus is a deep muscle in the forearm of humans that flexes the fingers. The name comes from the Latin for "deep bender of the fingers". It is considered an extrinsic hand muscle because it acts on the hand while its muscle belly is located in the forearm.
Flexor digitorum profundus is located deep within the anterior (flexor) compartment of the forearm. It is one of the deep muscles of the anterior compartment (deep volar compartment) of the forearm. It is a mass action muscle, acting as the main gripping power of the hand because its tendons arise at or below the wrist joint.
The muscle is a powerful flexor of the fingers. As it pulls the distal phalanges towards the hand, it causes flexion of the second to fifth digits at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. It is also a flexor of the midcarpal (wrist) joint.
Flexor digitorum profundus lies deep to the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. Its tendons go through the tendons of the flexor digitorum superficialis and attach to the distal phalanx. For this reason, it is also called the perforating muscle.
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It is the main gripping muscle
The flexor digitorum profundus is a muscle in the forearm that is responsible for flexing the fingers. It is considered an extrinsic hand muscle because it acts on the hand while its muscle belly is located in the forearm. This muscle is also known as the "deep bender of the fingers" in Latin.
The flexor digitorum profundus is the main gripping muscle of the hand. It acts as the primary flexor of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of the second to fifth digits, allowing for a power grip. The muscle is located deep within the anterior (flexor) compartment of the forearm and is considered a mass action muscle. Its tendons arise at or below the wrist joint, allowing it to produce a powerful grip.
The flexor digitorum profundus also assists in flexing the hand at the wrist and is involved in flexing the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers. The lumbrical muscles of the hand attach to its tendons, allowing it to aid in fully extending the fingers at the interphalangeal joints. This muscle is innervated by both the ulnar nerve and the median nerve, with the medial part of the muscle innervated by the ulnar nerve and the lateral part innervated by the median nerve's anterior interosseous branch.
The flexor digitorum profundus is a composite muscle, with its origin in the upper three-fourths of the anterior and medial surfaces of the ulna, interosseous membrane, and deep fascia of the forearm. It gives off broad tendons that attach to the palmar surface of the distal phalanges of the second to fifth digits. The muscle's attachment to the lumbricals allows for full extension of the interphalangeal joints and flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joints.
In summary, the flexor digitorum profundus is the main gripping muscle of the hand, enabling flexion of the fingers and providing powerful grip capabilities. It assists in various hand movements and is an essential component of hand anatomy.
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It is supplied by the anterior interosseous nerve
The flexor digitorum profundus is a muscle in the forearm that flexes the fingers. It is also known as the "deep bender of the fingers" in Latin. This muscle is responsible for flexing the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers.
The flexor digitorum profundus is supplied by two different nerves. The medial half, associated with the ring and little fingers, is supplied by the ulnar nerve. The lateral half, associated with the middle and index fingers, is supplied by the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN), a branch of the median nerve.
The AIN is a motor neuron that provides innervation to three muscles in the forearm: the flexor pollicis longus, pronator quadratus, and the lateral half of the flexor digitorum profundus. An injury to the AIN can result in weakness or paralysis of the muscles it supplies, leading to difficulties in performing tasks such as making an "OK" sign with the thumb or pinching.
The AIN also provides some sensation to the distal radioulnar and carpal joints and joint capsules. It branches off the median nerve near the elbow and runs along the volar surface of the flexor digitorum profundus, ending near the wrist joint.
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Frequently asked questions
The flexor digitorum profundus is a muscle in the forearm of humans that flexes the fingers. It is considered an extrinsic hand muscle because it acts on the hand while its muscle belly is located in the forearm.
The flexor digitorum profundus is the main gripping muscle of the hand. It acts as the flexor of the midcarpal (wrist), metacarpophalangeal, and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers.
The flexor digitorum profundus lies deep within the anterior (flexor) compartment of the forearm. It originates from the upper three-fourths of the volar and medial surfaces of the ulna, interosseous membrane, and deep forearm fascia.
The flexor digitorum profundus has dual innervation. The medial part of the muscle, which inserts into the fourth and fifth digits, is innervated by the ulnar nerve. The lateral part, which inserts into the second and third digits, is innervated by the median nerve via the anterior interosseous branch.











































