Anterior compartment of the forearm

Anterior compartment of the forearm
Cross-section through the middle of the forearm. (Anterior compartment is at top; posterior compartment is at bottom.)
Details
ArteryUlnar artery
NerveMedian nerve (anterior interosseous nerve), ulnar nerve (muscular branches of ulnar nerve)
Identifiers
Latincompartimentum antebrachii anterius
TA98A04.6.01.004
TA22476
FMA12255
Anatomical terminology

The anterior compartment of the forearm (or flexor compartment)[1] contains the following muscles:[2]

Level Muscle Extrinsic/Intrinsic Nerve
superficial flexor carpi radialis extrinsic median
superficial palmaris longus extrinsic median
superficial flexor carpi ulnaris extrinsic ulnar
superficial pronator teres intrinsic median
superficial (or intermediate) flexor digitorum superficialis extrinsic median
deep flexor digitorum profundus extrinsic ulnar + median (as anterior interosseous nerve)
deep flexor pollicis longus extrinsic median (as anterior interosseous nerve)
deep pronator quadratus intrinsic median (as anterior interosseous nerve)

The muscles are largely involved with flexion and supination.[2] The superficial muscles have their origin on the common flexor tendon.[2] The ulnar nerve and artery are also contained within this compartment.[2] The flexor digitorum superficialis lies in between the other four muscles of the superficial group and the three muscles of the deep group. This is why it is also classified as the intermediate group.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Topographical Anatomy of the Upper Limb - Listed Alphabetically". University of Arkansas. Archived from the original on 2008-01-19. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  2. ^ a b c d e Moore, Keith L.; Dalley, Arthur F.; Agur, Anne M. R. (2010). "Upper Limb". Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 6th Edition. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 746–749. ISBN 978-0-7817-7525-0.

Additional images

  • Transverse section across distal ends of radius and ulna.
    Transverse section across distal ends of radius and ulna.
  • Transverse section across the wrist and digits.
    Transverse section across the wrist and digits.