Anterior compartment of forearm
Compartimentum anterius antebrachii
- Latin synonym: Compartimentum flexorium antebrachii
- Synonym: Flexor compartment of forearm
- Related terms: Anterior compartment of forearm; Flexor compartment of forearm
Definition
The anterior compartment of forearm contains muscles organized into three layers:
Superficial Layer: This layer includes the pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, and flexor carpi ulnaris. All of these muscles typically originate from the medial epicondyle of the humerus via the common flexor tendon.
Intermediate Layer: This layer consists solely of the flexor digitorum superficialis.
Deep Layer: The deepest layer comprises the flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus, and pronator quadratus.
The main functions of these muscles are to flex the wrist and fingers and pronate the forearm (turn the palm downwards). Most muscles in this compartment are innervated by the median nerve, with the exceptions of the flexor carpi ulnaris and the medial half of the flexor digitorum profundus, which receive innervation from the ulnar nerve.
References
Mitchell B, Whited L. Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Forearm Muscles. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536975/
