Muscles of upper limb II.

Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD

Extensor muscles of forearm
(almost all arise from the lateral
epicondyle and are innervated by the
radial nerve)

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Brachioradialis

• Origin: above the lateral

epicondyle

• Insertion: styloid process

of radius

• Action: flexion and

supination of the elbow

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Extensor carpi
radialis longus
and brevis

• Origin: lateral epicondyle

• Insertion: longus: base of

the II. metacarpal, brevis:
base of the III. metacarpal

• Action: dorsiflexion and

radial abduction

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Extensor carpi
ulnaris

• Origin: lateral epicondyle

and olecranon

• Insertion: base of the V.

metacarpal

• Action: dorsiflexion and

ulnar abduction

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Extensor
digitorum

• Origin: lateral epicondyle

• Insertion: distal and middle

phalanges of the II-V.
fingers, forming the dorsal
aponeurosis

• Action: extension of the II-

V. fingers, dorsiflexion

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Extensor digiti
minimi
• Origin: lateral epicondyle

• Insertion: dorsal
aponeurosis of the V. finger

• Action: extension of the V.

finger

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Extensor
indicis

• Origin: interosseous
membrane and ulna

• Insertion: dorsal
aponeurosis of the II. finger

• Action: extension of the II.

finger

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Supinator

• Origin: lateral epicondyle

and supinator crest

• Insertion: anterior
surface of radius

• Action: supination

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Abductor
pollicis longus

• Origin: interosseous
membrane and posterior
surfaces of the ulna and
radius

• Insertion: base of the I.

metacarpal

• Action: abduction

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Extensor
pollicis brevis
• Origin: interosseous
membrane and posterior
surface of the radius

• Insertion: base of the

proximal phalanx of the I.
finger

• Action: extension

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Extensor
pollicis longus
• Origin: interosseous
membrane and posterior
surface of the ulna

• Insertion: distal phalanx of

the I. finger

• Action: abduction and

extension

• Innervation: radial nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Dorsal tendon compartments: I-VI

III

VI
II
V
IV
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Tennis elbow (lateral
epicondylitis)

• It occurs when tendons are

overloaded, usually by repetitive
motions of the arm and wrist.

• Risk factors: Age: usually between

the ages of 30 and 50.
Occupation: plumbers, painters,
carpenters, butchers and cooks.
Certain sports: racket sports

• Treatment: it often gets better on

its own. Physiotherapy helps a lot.
Severe cases may require surgery.

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Fasciae of upper limb

Fascia is a thin connective tissue covering of each muscle. It’s built up by

multiple layers with fluid in between called hyaluronan. Fascia has nerves
that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When stressed, it tightens up. When
it tightens around muscles, it can limit mobility and cause painful knots to
develop.

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 How to keep fasciae healthy

• Stretch regularly

foam rollers
• Focus on posture

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Hand muscles

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Thenar muscles

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Abductor
pollicis brevis
Thenar muscle

• Origin: scaphoid

• Insertion: proximal
phalanx of the I. finger

• Action: abduction

• Innervation: median
nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Flexor pollicis
brevis
Thenar muscle

• Origin: trapezium

• Insertion: proximal
phalanx of the I. finger

• Action: opposition and

flexion

• Innervation: median and

ulnar nerves

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Adductor
pollicis
Thenar muscle

• Origin: oblique head:

capitate, transverse head:
III. metacarpal

• Insertion: proximal
phalanx of the I. finger

• Action: adduction and

opposition

• Innervation: ulnar nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Opponens
pollicis
Thenar muscle

• Origin: trapezium

• Insertion: I.
metacarpal

• Action: opposition

• Innervation: median
nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Hypothenar muscles

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Abductor digiti
minimi
Hypothenar muscle

• Origin: pisiform

• Insertion: proximal
phalanx of the V. finger

• Action: abduction and

flexion

• Innervation: ulnar nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Flexor digiti
minimi (brevis)
Hypothenar muscle

• Origin: hook of hamate

• Insertion: proximal
phalanx of the V. finger

• Action: flexion

• Innervation: ulnar nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Opponens
digiti minimi
Hypothenar muscle

• Origin: hook of hamate

• Insertion: V. metacarpal

• Action: opposition

• Innervation: ulnar nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
Mesothenar muscles

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Lumbricals

Mesothenar muscle

• Origin: tendons of the flexor

digitorum profundus

• Insertion: dorsal aponeuroses

of the II-V. fingers

• Action: flexion in
metacarpophalangeal joints,
extension in interphalangeal
joints

• Innervation: ulnar and median

nerves

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Palmar
interossei

Mesothenar muscle

• Origin: metacarpals

• Insertion: dorsal
III II I
aponeuroses of the II, IV, V.
fingers

• Action: adduction

• Innervation: ulnar nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Dorsal
interossei
Mesothenar muscle

• Origin: metacarpals

• Insertion: dorsal aponeuroses

of the II-V. fingers

• Action: abduction

• Innervation: ulnar nerve

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dr. Sándor Katz MD, PhD
 Thank you for your attention.
References:
Gray’s Anatomy for Students
Thieme: Atlas of Anatomy, General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System