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Forearm

Anterior forearm

(Figures 84–89)

The superficial muscles arise from the CFO. They are from lateral to medial: pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor carpi ulnaris.

The deep muscles include flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus and pronator quadratus.

The course of the median nerve can be followed from elbow to wrist. It emerges from the cubital fossa, where it is medial to the brachial artery. It passes between the heads of pronator teres, and descends between flexors superficialis and profundus. At the wrist, it lies deep to the flexor retinaculum, between flexor carpi radialis and flexor digitorum superficialis.

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Distal forearm

(Figures 90 and 91)

Movement of the fingers helps to distinguish the median nerve from flexor tendons. It can also be followed proximally to the elbow, and no muscle belly appears. Its appearances are otherwise similar to a tendon.

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Posterior forearm

(Figures 92–95)

The superficial muscle group arises from the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus, and includes brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus.

The posterior muscle group arises from the common extensor origin, and comprises extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi and extensor carpi ulnaris.

The deep muscle group includes supinator, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicis longus and extensor indicis.

Notes

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ultrasound musculoskeletal anatomy

FIG. 94

Flexor digitorum profundus

Ulna

Medial

FIG. 95

80

TS panorama, probe transverse on posterior forearm

Extensor pollicis longus

Radius

Lateral

TS panorama, posterior aspect of forearm