Anatomy of the upper limb

Supination vs Pronation| Flexion vs Extension|

Adduction vs Abduction
Thorax Muscles outline
• Deltoid: cervical nerves:
• Prime mover of arm abduction
• Antagonists of pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi
• Pectoralis major: cervical and thoracic nerves:
• Prime mover of arm flexion
• Adduction
• Trapezius: cervical nerves:
• Stabilizes, raises, retracts, and rotates scapula
• Latissimus dorsi: cervical nerves
• Prime mover of arm extension
• Powerful arm adductor
• Striking a blow
• Swimming
• Rowing
Muscles of the upper arm (Anterior)
• Biceps brachii Long head: ACTION:
Flexion of the elbow joint; supination,
abduction and internal rotation of the
humerus. NERVE SUPPLY:
Musculocutaneous nerve.

• Biceps brachii Short Head: ACTION:

Flexion of the elbow joint; supination,
abduction and internal rotation of the
humerus. NERVE SUPPLY:
Musculocutaneous nerve.

• Brachialis: ACTION: Flexion of the

elbow joint to flex the forearm. NERVE
SUPPLY: Musculocutaneous nerve.
Anterior Forearm Muscles
• Brachioradialis:ACTION: Flexion of the
elbow; supination and pronation of the
forearm. NERVE SUPPLY: Radial nerve (C5-
C6).

• Pronator teres:ACTION: Weak flexion of

the elbow joint; pronation of the forearm.
NERVE SUPPLY: Median nerve (C6-C7).

• Flexor Carpi Radialis:ACTION: Flexion of

the wrist and abduction of the hand.
NERVE SUPPLY: Median nerve (C6-C7).

• Palmaris Longus:ACTION: Tightens the

palmar aponeurosis; flexion at the wrist;
weak flexion of the elbow joint. NERVE
SUPPLY: Median nerve (C7-C8).
• Supinator :
Anterior Forearm Muscles Deep
• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: ACTION: Flexion of the wrist
and adduction of the hand. NERVE SUPPLY: Ulnar
nerve (C7-T1).

• Flexor Digitorium Superficialis: ACTION: Weak

flexion of the elbow; flexion of the wrist; flexion of the
metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal
joints of the 2nd-5th digits. NERVE SUPPLY: Median
nerve (C8-T1).
• Flexor Pollicus Longus :ACTION: Flexion of the wrist and
flexion of the metacarpophalangeal, proximal
interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints of the 2nd-
5th digits. NERVE SUPPLY: Median nerve and the ulnar
nerve.
• Flexor Digitorium Profundus of hand: ACTION:
Abduction of the wrist; flexion of the carpometacarpal,
metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the 1st
digit. NERVE SUPPLY: Median nerve.

• Pronator Quadratus: ACTION: Pronation of the forearm and

stabilization of the distal radioulnar joint. NERVE SUPPLY:
Median nerve.
Posterior Forearm Muscles Superficial
• Extensor Carpi Ulnaris: ACTION: Extension
and adduction of the wrist. NERVE SUPPLY:
Deep branch of radial nerve (C7-C8).

• Extensor Digitorium of Hand: ACTION:

Extension of the wrist; extension of the
metacarpophalangeal, proximal
interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal
joints of the 2nd-5th fingers; abduction of
the fingers. NERVE SUPPLY: Deep branch
of radial nerve.
• Extensor Carpi Radialis: ACTION: Weak
flexion of the elbow and extension and
abduction at the wrist. NERVE SUPPLY:
Radial nerve (C6-C7).
Posterior Forearm Muscles Superficial
• Abductor Policus Longus : ACTION
Abduction of the radiocarpal joint and
carpometacarpal joint of the 1st digit.
NERVE SUPPLY: Deep branch of the radial
nerve.
• Extensor Policus Longus: ACTION:
Extension and radial abduction of the wrist;
adduction of the carpometacarpal joint of
the 1st digit; extension of the
metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal
joints of the 1st digit. NERVE SUPPLY:
Posterior Interosseous nerve.
• Extensor Indices :ACTION: Extension of the
wrist; extension of the
metacarpophalangeal, proximal
interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal
joints of the 2nd digit. NERVE SUPPLY:
Posterior interosseous nerve.
Deltoid muscle

ACTION: Abduction of the arm; flexion and

internal rotation via the anterior fibers; external
rotation and extension via the posterior fibers.
NERVE SUPPLY: Axillary nerve.
Muscles of the hand
• Abductor Pollicis Brevis: ACTION: Abduction of
the carpometacarpal joint of the 1st digit. NERVE
SUPPLY: Recurrent branch of the median nerve.
• Flexor Pollicis Brevis: ACTION: Flexion of the
carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints
of the 1st digit. NERVE SUPPLY: Recurrent
branch of the median nerve.
• Adductor Pollicis oblique/ Transverse:

• Opponens Pollicis: Opposition of the thumb

• Abductor Digiti minimi: ACTION: Flexion of the

metacarpophalangeal joint; extension of the
proximal interphalangeal joint and distal
interphalangeal joint; abduction of the 5th digit.
NERVE SUPPLY: Deep branch of the ulnar nerve
(C8-T1).
• Palmaris brevis: