Muscles Acting on the Wrist and Hand

Questions and Answers

What is the function of Flexor Carpi Radialis?

Adducts thumb

Extends wrist

Flexes wrist anteriorly (correct)

Aids in radial flexion of the wrist (correct)

What action does Flexor Digitorum perform?

Extends the wrist

Abducts the thumb

Flexes the wrist (correct)

Flexes the metacarpophalangeal joints (correct)

What is the role of Palmaris Longus?

Anchors skin and fascia of palmar region; resists shearing forces.

What does Flexor Pollicis Longus do?

Flexes phalanges of thumb. Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle extends the wrist and aids in ulnar flexion?

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is responsible for abducting the thumb in the frontal plane?

Abductor Pollicis Longus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of Extensor Digitorum?

Extends wrist, metacarpophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. Signup and view all the answers

How does Opponens Pollicis assist thumb movement?

Flexes metacarpal I to oppose thumb to fingertips. Signup and view all the answers

What does Abductor Digiti Minimi do?

Abducts little finger Signup and view all the answers

What is the action of Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis?

Flexes little finger at metacarpophalangeal joint. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Flexor Muscles

Flexor Carpi Radialis: Flexes the wrist anteriorly and assists in radial flexion.
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Flexes the wrist anteriorly while aiding in ulnar flexion.
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis: Flexes the wrist, metacarpophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints, dependent on the actions of other muscles.
Palmaris Longus: Anchors the skin and fascia in the palm to resist shearing forces during activities such as climbing; can be weak or absent.
Flexor Digitorum: Flexes wrist, metacarpophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints; only muscle responsible for flexing distal interphalangeal joints.
Flexor Pollicis Longus: Flexes phalanges of the thumb.

Extensor Muscles

Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Extends the wrist and aids in radial flexion.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis: Extends the wrist while assisting in radial flexion.
Extensor Digitorum: Extends the wrist and all digits; helps spread fingers apart when extending metacarpophalangeal joints.
Extensor Digiti Minimi: Extends the wrist and all joints of the little finger.
Extensor Carpi Ulnaris: Extends and stabilizes the wrist when the fist is clenched; assists with ulnar flexion.

Pollicis and Other Muscles

Abductor Pollicis Longus: Abducts the thumb and extends it at the carpometacarpal joint.
Extensor Pollicis Longus: Extends the distal phalanx of the thumb and aids in extending the proximal phalanx; adducts and laterally rotates the thumb.
Extensor Pollicis Brevis: Extends the thumb at metacarpal I and the proximal phalanx.
Extensor Indicis: Extends the wrist and index finger.
Adductor Pollicis: Draws the thumb towards the palm, useful for gripping.
Abductor Pollicis Brevis: Abducts the thumb in the sagittal plane.

Digiti Minimi Muscles

Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis: Flexes the little finger at the metacarpophalangeal joint.
Opponens Pollicis: Flexes metacarpal I to allow opposition of the thumb to fingertips.
Abductor Digiti Minimi: Abducts the little finger, helping to spread fingers apart.
Opponens Digiti Minimi: Flexes metacarpal V to allow the little finger to oppose the thumb, deepening the palm.

Description

Explore the key muscles that influence wrist and hand movements with this flashcard quiz. Each card provides essential definitions and functions of various muscles, such as Flexor Carpi Radialis and Flexor Digitorum Superficialis. Test your understanding and enhance your knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy.