Logan Steele
The wrist is a series of small joints that connect the radius and ulna (the two bones in the forearm) to the carpals in the hand. The radial musculature consists of three muscles located at the lateral forearm, which all run from or near the lateral epicondyle of the humerus to the wrist. The three muscles are the extensor carpi radialis longus, the extensor carpi radialis brevis, and the brachioradialis muscle. These muscles work together with flexor muscles to tilt the hand and wrist in different directions.
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What You'll Learn
The radial musculature consists of three muscles
The extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis are primarily responsible for the extension and abduction (radial deviation) of the wrist joint. They work together with the flexor carpi radialis muscle to tilt the hand and wrist toward the thumb and radius. This motion is particularly important in weight-bearing activities, such as gymnastics and acrobatics, where the wrist is forced into an extended position.
The brachioradialis muscle, on the other hand, is a powerful flexor of the elbow. It originates at the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus and inserts proximal to the styloid process of the radius. This muscle is mainly responsible for the lateral contour of the elbow and forearm. It acts most strongly when the forearm is in a semi-pronated position.
The radial muscles receive their nerve supply from the radial nerve. The branches supplying the brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus arise before the division of the radial nerve, while the nerve supplying the extensor carpi radialis brevis, the posterior interosseus nerve, arises after the division.
Injuries to the tendons of the radial muscles can result in conditions like lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow. This condition causes pain at the lateral part of the elbow and reduces the ability to extend the hand. It is important to understand the anatomy and function of the radial musculature to prevent and manage such injuries effectively.
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Extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis
The extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis are muscles that contribute to radial deviation of the wrist. Radial deviation is the tilting of the hand and wrist towards the thumb and radius.
Extensor carpi radialis longus is a fusiform muscle that forms a flattened tendon, which runs distally over the lateral surface of the radius. It is one of three primary wrist extensors. It is most effective as a wrist extensor when the elbow is extended and when radial deviation is balanced by the primary ulnar deviator, extensor carpi ulnaris. The extensor carpi radialis longus can be felt in the floor of the anatomical snuff box when movements of wrist extension and abduction are performed.
Extensor carpi radialis brevis is located in the radial (lateral) part of the forearm, sitting deep to extensor carpi radialis longus. It is the shortest of these two muscles. Its tendon courses deep to abductor pollicis and extensor pollicis brevis before passing under the extensor retinaculum on the dorsal aspect of the hand. Extensor carpi radialis brevis is one of seven superficial extensor muscles of the posterior forearm. It is the prime dorsiflexor of the wrist.
Together, the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis produce wrist extension and abduction (radial deviation). They also work to extend the hand at the wrist joint. When the extensor carpi radialis brevis contracts together with the extensor carpi radialis longus and flexor carpi radialis, it contributes to producing hand abduction (radial deviation).
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The brachioradialis muscle
The brachioradialis is a fusiform muscle located in the lateral part of the posterior forearm. It is one of seven muscles in the forearm's superficial layer that attach to the lateral epicondyle and supracondylar ridge of the humerus. The muscle fibres course inferiorly down the radial part of the anterior forearm, forming a thick tendon in the middle of the forearm. This tendon then traverses the remainder of the forearm, inserting near the wrist, just proximal to the styloid process of the radius.
The brachioradialis is considered a posterior or extensor-compartment muscle, although it functions as a flexor. It is one of two forearm extensor-compartment muscles that do not cross the wrist, the other being the supinator. The muscle contributes to the muscle mass overlying the anterolateral forearm. It forms the lateral cubital fossa boundary along with the wrist extensors. The brachioradialis is the most superficial muscle on the radial aspect of the forearm.
The brachioradialis flexes, pronates, and supinates the forearm. It is innervated by the radial nerve and receives blood supply from branches of the radial artery, radial recurrent artery, and the radial collateral branch of the deep brachial artery. The cephalic vein and lateral cutaneous antebrachial nerve pass over the muscle's superficial surface. The muscle is synergistic with the brachialis and biceps brachii, and the triceps brachii and anconeus are antagonistic. It is a stronger elbow flexor when the forearm is in a midposition between supination and pronation at the radioulnar joint.
The brachioradialis is important in various ordinary activities such as hammering or rowing. It is also vital in surgery, particularly in hand defect reconstruction, forearm tendon transfers, and carpal tunnel release. Understanding this muscle's anatomy and clinical significance is crucial for properly evaluating and managing various musculoskeletal conditions.
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Radial deviation: tilting the hand and wrist toward the thumb
The radial deviation is the movement of tilting the hand and wrist toward the thumb and radius. This motion is important in weight-bearing activities, such as those performed on the balance beam, rings, pommels, and p-bars, where the wrists help maintain an inverted position.
The radial deviation is made possible by the radiocarpal joint, which is the intersection of the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpals. This joint allows the hand and wrist to move up (extension or dorsiflexion) and down (palmar flexion). It also enables a side-to-side glide, causing the hand and wrist to "tilt" into radial and ulnar deviation.
The muscles responsible for radial deviation are the flexor carpi radialis and extensor carpi radialis. These muscles work together to cancel flexion and extension, instead pulling the hand and wrist toward the radius.
The extensor carpi radialis muscle has two parts: the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis. These muscles are primarily responsible for the extension and abduction (radial deviation) of the wrist joint. However, they are poor flexors of the elbow. The tendon of the extensor carpi radialis brevis is particularly prone to microtraumata, inflammation, or tears, causing "tennis elbow".
The wrist is a complex structure, consisting of a series of small joints that connect the radius and ulna in the forearm to the carpals in the hand. The muscles that control wrist movement are located primarily in the forearm. Additionally, palmar intercarpal ligaments provide support by connecting the carpals to each other and to the radius and ulna.
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The radiocarpal joint
The wrist is a series of small joints that connect the radius and ulna (the two bones in the forearm) to the carpals in the hand. The radiocarpal joint is the intersection of the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpals. It is a true synovial joint, meaning that there is a joint capsule containing lubricating fluid within. The proximal row of carpals is convex on the concave radius.
The primary movements of the radiocarpal joint are flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. The joint allows the hand and wrist to move down (palmar flexion) and up (extension or dorsiflexion). Radial deviation is the abduction movement towards the thumb, while ulnar deviation is the adduction movement towards the little finger. The radiocarpal joint also allows for a side-to-side glide, causing the hand and wrist to "tilt" left and right into radial and ulnar deviation.
The palmar ligaments are more numerous than those of the dorsal wrist joint, with almost the entire palmar portion of the joint capsule composed of individual ligaments. These ligaments converge distally, forming an apex-distal ‘V’ shape when viewed collectively. The palmar radiocarpal ligament, arising from the anterior/palmar distal border of the radius, extends distally to the scaphoid, lunate, and capitate bones. It limits overextension of the wrist joint and is often described as having four distinct parts.
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Frequently asked questions
Radial deviation is the tilting of the hand and wrist toward the thumb and radius.
The muscles responsible for radial deviation are the flexor carpi radialis and extensor carpi radialis.
These muscles work together to cancel flexion and extension, instead pulling the hand and wrist towards the radius.
Yes, sports such as gymnastics, acrobatics, and yoga require more radial deviation due to the weight-bearing nature of the activities, which forces the wrist into an extended position.
