Flexor carpi radialis
Flexor radialis carpi
- Latin synonym: Musculus flexor carpi radialis
- Synonym: Flexor carpi radialis muscle
Definition
Flexor carpi radialis | |||
Origin | Medial epicondyle of humerus (common flexor tendon) | ||
Insertion | Bases of the second and third metacarpal bones | ||
Artery | Ulnar artery | ||
Innervation | Median nerve | ||
Action | Flexion and abduction at the wrist | ||
Antagonist | Extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis muscles | ||
The flexor carpi radialis muscle is a superficial muscle located in the anterior compartment of the forearm.
Origin
It originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus via the common flexor tendon, a shared origin with other flexor-pronator muscles of the forearm..
Insertion
The muscle descends obliquely, ending in a long tendon that inserts primarily onto the base of the second metacarpal bone, and variably onto the base of the third metacarpal bone.
Innervation
Its nerve supply comes from the median nerve, which predominantly innervates the flexor muscles in the forearm.
Actions
The primary function of the flexor carpi radialis are wrist flexion and radial deviation (abduction). Minor functions include assisting in forearm pronation and contributing to the dynamic stabilization of the wrist during radial-ulnar deviation.
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/
Otoshi K, Kikuchi S, Shishido H, Konno S. The proximal origins of the flexor-pronator muscles and their role in the dynamic stabilization of the elbow joint: an anatomical study. Surg Radiol Anat. 2014 Apr;36(3):289-94.
