Reading
- p. 729 (Cubital Fossa) - 744
- p. 751 (Hand) - 785
- p. 744 (Forearm) - 750 (Extensor ...)
- p. 755 (Arteries ...) - 793 (Joints ...)
- p. 442 (Forearm) - 447 (Extensor ...)
- p. 451 (Nerves) - 470
- p. 482 - 489
Body Surface
The primary surface landmarks of the anterior forearm are associated with the humerus (medial and lateral epicondyles), biceps brachii and the flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis tendons. The skin overlying the anterior forearm is innervated by the medial and lateral cutaneous nerves of the forearm.
Skeleton and Joints
The bones and joints associated with the anterior forearm are the humerus, radius and ulna articulating at the elbow joint and the radius, ulna and carpals articulating at the wrist joint. The elbow joint moves in flexion and extension and contributes to pronation and supination of the forearm. The wrist joint moves in flexion and extension, and abduction and adduction.
Fascial Organization
The antebrachial (deep) fascia, its two intermuscular septa and the interosseous membrane divide the forearm into two compartments and a third region, the mobile wad. The intermuscular septa attach to the radius and separate the mobile wad (brachioradialis, and extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis) from the anterior (flexor) and posterior (extensor) compartments.
The anterior compartment muscles are subdivided into a superficial group attaching in part to the medial epicondyle of the humerus, and a deep group attaching in part to the radius, ulna and interosseous membrane.
Muscles
The muscles of the anterior compartment of the forearm are active in pronation of the forearm ( pronator teres), flexion ( flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus), abduction (flexor carpi radialis) and adduction (flexor carpi ulnaris) of the wrist, flexion of the 1st digit ( flexor pollicis longus) and flexion of the 2nd – 5th digits (flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus).
Innervation
The median and ulnar nerves innervate the muscles of the anterior compartment of the forearm.
Blood Supply
Branches of the radial, ulnar and anterior interosseous arteries supply the anterior compartment of the forearm.