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The human wrist is a complex joint that allows for a wide range of movements, including flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction. These movements are made possible by the intricate network of bones, muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels in the wrist and hand. While the wrist shares muscles with the forearm, the primary muscles responsible for wrist adduction are the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris and Flexor Carpi Ulnaris. These muscles work together to facilitate adduction, which is the movement of the hand and wrist towards the little finger and ulna. Understanding the anatomy of the wrist and the muscles that control its various movements is crucial for preventing injuries and promoting overall hand and wrist health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles | Extensor Carpi Ulnaris, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris |
| Muscle Origin | Extensor Carpi Ulnaris originates from the humerus, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris originates near the elbow |
| Muscle Attachment | Extensor Carpi Ulnaris attaches to the base of the hand, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris attaches to one of the carpal bones in the wrist |
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What You'll Learn
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
The flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) is a muscle in the forearm that flexes and adducts at the wrist joint. It is the most medial flexor muscle in the superficial compartment of the forearm. It is also the most medial of the tendons that are visible superficially in this region.
The FCU has two heads: a humeral head and an ulnar head. The humeral head originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus via the common flexor tendon. The ulnar head originates from the olecranon and the upper two-thirds of the dorsal border of the ulna. The ulnar nerve and ulnar artery pass between the two heads.
The FCU inserts onto the pisiform, hook of the hamate, and the anterior surface of the base of the fifth metacarpal. The FCU flexes and adducts the hand at the wrist joint. It is innervated by the ulnar nerve, with corresponding spinal nerves C8 and T1. The FCU receives its arterial blood supply via three different routes.
The FCU is the only muscle in the anterior compartment that is fully innervated by the ulnar nerve. It acts in tandem with the flexor carpi radialis to flex the wrist and with the extensor carpi ulnaris to adduct the wrist.
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Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
The extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) is a skeletal muscle located on the ulnar side of the forearm. It is a fusiform muscle in the posterior forearm, spanning between the elbow and the base of the little finger. The extensor carpi ulnaris acts to extend and adduct the wrist, inclining the hand towards the ulnar side. It is a key contributor to various activities involving these movements, such as gripping, throwing, or racket sports.
The extensor carpi ulnaris is part of the superficial forearm extensor group, which includes muscles like the anconeus, brachioradialis, and extensor carpi radialis longus. It originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the posterior border of the ulna. The muscle fibres curve towards the ulnar side of the hand and give off a tendon just proximal to the wrist. This tendon passes beneath the extensor retinaculum and through a groove on the posterior surface of the head and styloid process of the ulna.
The extensor carpi ulnaris is innervated by the posterior interosseous nerve (C7 and C8), which is a branch of the deep division of the radial nerve. The blood supply to the muscle is provided by branches of the radial recurrent and posterior interosseous arteries, stemming from the radial and ulnar arteries, respectively.
Injuries to the extensor carpi ulnaris are common, especially in athletes who participate in activities requiring forceful and repetitive wrist movements. Tennis elbow is one such injury, characterised by pain when shaking hands or gripping objects, and the pain intensifies with wrist movement. Treatment options include physical therapy, occupational therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and rest.
The extensor carpi ulnaris works in conjunction with other muscles, such as the extensor carpi radialis brevis and longus, to maintain a balanced extension of the wrist without deviating the hand in the transverse plane. This is crucial for activities like clenching a fist or making a power grip. Additionally, it works synergistically with the flexor carpi ulnaris to achieve a balanced adduction (ulnar deviation) of the hand at the wrist.
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Forearm muscles
The wrist is a complex joint that connects the radius and ulna (the two bones in the forearm) to the carpals in the hand. The wrist and hand muscles are located primarily in the forearm and are referred to as extrinsic muscles, while muscles within the wrist and hand are called intrinsic muscles. The forearm is split into anterior and posterior compartments, with the anterior compartment further divided into superficial, intermediate, and deep layers. These muscles are generally responsible for flexing the wrist and fingers and pronating the forearm.
One of the muscles in the forearm that controls wrist adduction is the flexor carpi ulnaris. This is a long muscle that originates near the elbow and passes through the wrist, attaching to one of the carpal bones in the wrist. It is responsible for flexion and adduction at the wrist. Another muscle that contributes to wrist adduction is the extensor carpi ulnaris, which is located on the opposite side of the forearm to the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis. It originates from the humerus and attaches to the base of the hand, allowing for extension and adduction of the wrist.
The supinator is another muscle in the forearm that contributes to wrist adduction. It is located in the deep region of the forearm's posterior compartment and has two heads: one originating from the humerus and the other from the ulna. Together, they attach to the radius.
The forearm also contains muscles that work together to allow for the complex dexterity and movement of the wrist and hand. These include the flexor digitorum superficialis, which controls wrist and finger flexion, and the flexor digitorum profundus, which flexes the wrist and the most distant regions of the fingers. The palmaris longus is another long muscle that contributes to wrist flexion, originating near the elbow and attaching to the base of the hand.
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Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
The flexor digitorum superficialis is a key muscle that controls wrist and finger flex. It is located at the superficial volar/anterior aspect of the forearm. It is the bulk of muscle found at the anterior aspect of the forearm. The flexor digitorum superficialis courses along the volar aspect of the forearm, superficial to the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus muscles, and deep to the palmaris longus, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, and pronator teres.
The flexor digitorum superficialis is divided into two heads: the humeroulnar head and the radial head. The humeroulnar head originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus via the common flexor tendon, as well as the medial margin of the coronoid process of the ulna. Some fibres also originate from the anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow joint. The radial head originates on the anterior oblique line of the shaft of the radius.
The flexor digitorum superficialis is the largest muscle of the anterior compartment of the forearm. It is sometimes considered to be the deepest part of the superficial layer of this compartment. However, some sources classify this muscle as an independent middle/intermediate layer of the anterior forearm, found between the superficial and deep groups.
The flexor digitorum superficialis is innervated by the median nerve (C7, C8, T1). Its primary function is the flexion of the middle phalanges of the four fingers (excluding the thumb) at the proximal interphalangeal joints. However, under continued action, it also flexes the metacarpophalangeal joints and wrist joint.
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Flexion and extension
The wrist is a complex joint that allows for a wide range of movements, including flexion and extension. Flexion refers to the action of bending the wrist towards the palm, while extension involves bending the wrist backwards, which is the primary position for weight-bearing.
Several muscles work together to produce flexion of the wrist. The primary movers responsible for this action are the flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis. These long muscles originate near the elbow and pass through the wrist, attaching to the carpal bones or the base of the digits. Additionally, the flexor digitorum superficialis assists in flexion by acting as a finger flexor. Another muscle, the palmaris longus, contributes to flexion by tightening the skin and fascia in the palm.
On the other hand, extension of the wrist is mainly produced by the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, along with the extensor carpi ulnaris. These muscles are located on the dorsal side of the hand and forearm. The extensor digitorum also assists in extension. The extensor carpi ulnaris is particularly important as it contributes to both extension and adduction of the wrist.
The muscles responsible for flexion and extension of the wrist are primarily located in the forearm, with their tendons crossing the wrist joint. This anatomical arrangement allows them to control the movement of the wrist. The wrist joint itself is a highly mobile synovial joint, allowing for flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction. This mobility enables the hand to move in multiple directions, but it also makes the wrist joint susceptible to injuries.
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Frequently asked questions
Adduction at the wrist is produced by the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris and the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris.
The Extensor Carpi Ulnaris is a muscle that originates from the humerus and attaches to the base of the hand.
The Extensor Carpi Ulnaris contributes to wrist adduction and extension.
The Flexor Carpi Ulnaris is a long muscle that originates near the elbow and passes through the wrist, attaching to one of the carpal bones.
The Flexor Carpi Ulnaris is a prime mover that contributes to wrist adduction and flexion.
