Forearm muscles

Anterior view of the thorax and upper limb showing the muscles that act on the anterior forearm (pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, palmaris longus and flexor digitorum superficialis)

The muscles of the forearm are divided into anterior (flexor) and posterior (extensor) compartments. The flexors of the forearm are located in the anterior compartment of the forearm. Their main functions include flexion of the hand and pronation of the forearm. They are divided into:

The extensors of the forearm reside in the posterior compartment of the forearm. Their primary functions are extension of the hand and supination of the forearm. They are grouped as follows:

Learn the muscles that act on the forearm using interactive animations below and test your knowledge with labeling diagrams and worksheets.

Feature image showing three images of the forearm bony elements and muscles. The image on the left shows all muscles of the forearm, the middle image shows isolated Brachioradialis muscle, and the image on the right illustrates its attachments.
Brachioradialis Muscle – Attachments, Action & Innervation

Brachioradialis is one of the muscles that comprise the posterior compartment of the forearm. It is the most superficial muscle of the radial side of the forearm, forming the lateral wall of the cubital fossa.
A dorsal view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the muscles of different 3 levels with the anconeus muscle highlighted with green
Anconeus Muscle – Attachments, Action & Innervation

Anconeus muscle is a small muscle that is triangular in shape. It’s sometimes blended with triceps brachii or extensor carpi ulnaris. It arises from the humerus to later insert on the olecranon of the ulna.
Featured image showing three images of the anterior forearm. The image on the left shows the bony elements and the muscles of the anterior forearm, the middle image shows the bony elements and isolated Flexor Carpi Ulnaris muscle, and the image on the right shows the attachments of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris muscle connected by a transparent muscle itself.
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

A tutorial on the position, actions, attachments and innervation of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris muscle with the aid of detailed anatomical illustrations.
Featured image showing three images of the anterior forearm. The image on the left shows the bony elements and the muscles of the anterior forearm, the middle image shows the bony elements and isolated Palmaris Longus muscle, and the image on the right shows the attachments of the Palmaris Longus muscle connected by a transparent muscle itself.
Palmaris Longus Muscle

A tutorial on the position, actions, attachments and innervation of the Palmaris Longus muscle with the aid of detailed anatomical illustrations and a quiz.
Featured image showing three images of the anterior forearm. The image on the left shows the bony elements and the muscles of the anterior forearm, the middle image shows the bony elements and isolated Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle, and the image on the right shows the attachments of the Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle connected by a transparent muscle itself.
Flexor Carpi Radialis

A tutorial on the position, actions, attachments and innervation of the Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle with the aid of detailed anatomical illustrations.
Featured image showing 3 images of the anterior forearm bony muscles and associated structures. The image on the left shows all forearm muscles, middle image shows isolated Pronator Teres muscle and right image shows the attachments of the two heads of Pronator Teres.
Pronator Teres – Attachments, Action & Innervation

Pronator teres is one of the muscles of the superficial flexor group of the anterior forearm compartment. Arising with two heads from the humerus and ulna to finally insert on the lateral surface of the radius body.
Featured image showing three images of the anterior forearm. The image on the left shows the bony elements and the muscles of the anterior forearm, the middle image shows the bony elements and isolated Flexor Digitorum Superficialis muscle, and the image on the right shows the attachments of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis muscle connected by a transparent muscle itself.
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Muscle

A tutorial on the position, actions, attachments and innervation of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis muscle with the aid of anatomical illustrations.
Brachialis Muscle - Featured
Brachialis Muscle

Brachialis Muscle (Insertion, Origin, Actions & Innervations); explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.
Featured image showing three images of the posterior forearm. The image on the left shows the bony elements and the muscles of the posterior forearm, the middle image shows the bony elements and isolated Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus muscle, and the image on the right shows the attachments of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus muscle connected by a transparent muscle itself.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus

An interactive tutorial showing the location, attachments, actions and innervation of Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus muscle using anatomical illustrations.
Featured image showing three images of the posterior forearm. The image on the left shows the bony elements and the muscles of the posterior forearm, the middle image shows the bony elements and isolated Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis muscle, and the image on the right shows the attachments of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis muscle connected by a transparent muscle itself.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Muscle

An interactive tutorial showing the location, attachments, actions and innervation of Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis muscle using anatomical illustrations.
Featured image presenting three views of the extensor digitorum. The image on the left shows muscles of the posterior forearm and wrist, the middle image shows the isolated extensor digitorum muscle, whereas the image on the right shows its attachments.
Extensor Digitorum Muscle

An interactive tutorial showing the location, attachments, actions and innervation of Extensor Digitorum muscle using anatomical illustrations.
The featured image for extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. The view on the left shows the bony elements and the soft structures of the posterior forearm and the wrist, the middle image shows the isolated extensor carpi ulnaris muscles, the image on the right shows the its attachments connected by a transparent extensor carpi ulnaris muscle.
Extensor Carpi Ulnaris – Attachments, Action & Innervation

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris is one of the muscles that comprise the superficial compartment of the posterior forearm compartment. Arising from the common origin of extensors to insert on the base of the fifth metacarpal after running between the EDM and the anconeus.