‫جامعة بنغازي‬

‫كلية الطب البشري‬

Anatomy of upper limb
DR. Amina Alobadi
Assistant lecturer of human anatomy and embryology
2021-2022
 Posterior compartment of the forearm
Contents:
• Muscles :(superficial and deep)
• Nerves:
posterior interosseus nerve
(deep branch of the radial nerve)
• Arteries:
post and ant interosseus arteries
(branches of ulnar artery)
Muscles of superficial layer(7):
1. Brachioradialis
2. Extensor carpi radials longus
3. Extensor carpi radialis brevis
4. Extensor digitorum
5. Extensor digiti minimi
6. Extensor carpi ulnaris
7. anconeus
NB:
the brachioradialis , extensor carpi radialis longus
take origin from the lateral supracondylar ridge of
the humorous
The other muscles have a common origin from the
lateral epicondyle of the humorous
All the superficial extensor muscles are
supplied by post interosseus nerve,
except the brachioradialis and extensor carpi
radialis longus supplied by radial nerve itself
 Brachioradialis:
Origin:
upper 2/3 of the lateral
supracondylar ridge
Insertion:
into the lateral surface of the lower
end of the radius
Nerve supply: radial nerve
Action:
initiate pronation and supination
and mid prone position
assist in flexion of the elbow
Extensor carpi radialis longus:
Origin: from the lateral
supracondylar ridge
Insertion: back of the base
of the 2nd metacarpal bone
Nerve supply: radial nerve
Action: extends and abduction
the hand
 Extensor carpi radialis brevis:
Origin:
common extensor origin
(lateral epicondyle)
Insertion:
back of the base of the
3rd metacarpal bone
Nerve supply: post interosseous
nerve
Action: extension and abduction
of the hand
 Extensor digitorum:
Origin: common extensor origin
Insertion: by 4 tendons each one
inserted into the base of the
middle and distal phalanges
Nerve supply: post interosseous nerve
Action: extends the metacarpo
phalangeal joints
helps to extend the wrist
 Extensor digiti minimi:
Origin: common extensor origin
Insertion: into the extensor
expansion of the little finger
Nerve supply: post interosseous
nerve
Action: extends all joints of the
little finger
 Extensor carpi ulnaris:
Origin: common extensor origin
post border of the ulna
(aponeurosis of ulna)
Insertion: back of the base of the
5th metacarpal bone
Nerve supply: post interosseus nerve
Action: extension and adduction
 Anconeus:
It a triangular shape and is the shortest of
these muscle
Origin: back of the lateral epicondyle
Insertion: into the lateral surface of
olecranon process and back of
the shaft of ulna
Nerve supply: branch from radial nerve
(this branch arises from the radial nerve at
the spiral groove through the medial head
of triceps)
Action: helps in extension of the elbow
 Deep layer of muscles:
1.Supinator
2.Abductor pollicis longus
3.Extensor pollicis longus
4.Extensor pollicis brevis
5.Extensor indices
 Supinator:
Origin: 2 parts
➢ superficial part from lateral epicondyle
and
radial collateral lig of the elbow
➢ deep part from the supinator crest
(supinator fossa)
Insertion: upper 1/3 of the front and
lateral surface and back of the radius
Nerve supply: post interosseus nerve
Action: supination the forearm
 Abductor pollicis longus:
Origin:
➢ upper part of the back of the ulna
➢ middle 1/3 of the back of radius
➢ from interosseus membrane
Insertion: into the lateral side of the base
of the 1st metacarpal bone
Nerve supply: post interosseus nerve
Action: abducts and extends the
carpo metacarpal joint of the thumb
helps to abducts the wrist
 Extensor pollicis longus:
Origin:
from the middle 1/3 of the back of the
ulna and interosseous membrane
Insertion:
into the back of the base of the
distal phalanx of the thumb
Action: extends all joints of the thumb
 Extensor pollicis brevis:
Origin:
from the middle 1/3 of the back of the
radius and interosseus membrane
Insertion: into the base of the
proximal phalanx of the thumb
Nerve supply: post interosseus nerve
Action: extends the
metacarpophalangeal joint of the
thumb
 Extensor indicis:
Origin: from the lower part of the
back of the ulna and interosseus
membrane
Insertion: into the extensor
expansion of the index finger
Nerve supply: post interosseus
nerve
Action: extends the index finger