MUSCLE

PROXIMAL
ATTACHMENT
(ORIGIN)

Abductor digiti minimi

Pisiform bone and tendon Medial side of base of

of flexor carpi ulnaris
proximal phalanx of little
finger (5th digit)

Ulnar nerve (deep branch)

Medial epicondyle of
humerus

Base of 2nd
metacarpal

Median nerve

Humeral head: medial

epicondyle of humerus
Ulnar head:
olecranon and posterior
border of ulna
Medial and anterior
surface of proximal 3/4 of
ulna and interosseous
membrane

Pisiform bone, hook of

hamate, base of 5th
metacarpal

Ulnar nerve

Palmar base of distal

phalanges of medial four
digits

Medial part: ulnar nerve

Flexes distal phalanges of
Lateral part: median nerve medial four digits, assists with
flexion of hand at wrist

Flexor carpi radialis

Flexor carpi ulnaris

DISTAL ATTACHMENT INNERVATION

(INSERTION)

MAIN ACTIONS

Abducts little finger

BLOOD SUPPLY

Deep palmar branch of

ulnar artery

Hand

Flexes and abducts hand at

wrist

Radial artery

Anterior
forearm

Flexes and adducts hand at

wrist

Posterior ulnar recurrent

artery

Anterior
forearm

Anterior interosseous
artery, muscular branches
of ulnar artery
Anterior
forearm

Flexor digitorum profundus

Flexor digitorum
superficialis

MUSCLE
GROUP

Humero-ulnar head:
medial epicondyle of
humerus and coronoid
process of ulna
Radial head:
Anterior
of radius
superior surface
half of anterior
and
interosseous
radius
membrane

Bodies of middle
phalanges of medial four
digits

Median nerve

Palmar base of distal

phalanx of thumb

Median nerve (anterior

interosseous)

Medial epicondyle of
humerus

Distal half of flexor

retinaculum and palmar
aponeurosis

Median nerve

Distal fourth of anterior

ulna

Distal fourth of anterior

radius

Median nerve (anterior

interosseous)

Flexes middle and proximal

phalanges of medial four digits,
Ulnar and radial arteries
flexes hand at wrist
Flexes phalanges of thumb

Anterior interosseous
artery

Anterior
forearm
Anterior
forearm

Flexor pollicis longus

Palmaris longus

Pronator quadratus

Pronator teres

Flexes hand at wrist and tenses Posterior ulnar recurrent

palmar aponeurosis
artery

Anterior
forearm

Anterior interosseous
artery

Anterior
forearm

Anterior ulnar
recurrent artery

Anterior
forearm

Pronates forearm

Two heads: medial

Midway along lateral
epicondyle of humerus and surface of radius
coronoid process of ulna

Median nerve

Pronates forearm and assists

with elbow flexion

Posterior surface of lateral Lateral surface of

epicondyle of humerus
olecranon and posterior
proximal ulna
Anconeus

Biceps brachii

Brachialis

Coracobrachialis
Abductor pollicis brevis

Adductor pollicis

Dorsal interosseous
muscles
Flexor digiti minimi brevis

Flexor pollicis brevis

Assists triceps in extending

elbow, abducts ulna in pronation

Radial nerve (C5T1)

Long head:
Radial tuberosity, fascia of
supraglenoid tubercle of
forearm via bicipital
scapula
aponeurosis
Musculocutaneous nerve
Short head: tip of coracoid
(C5,C6)
process of scapula
Distal half of anterior
surface of humerus

Coronoid process and

tuberosity of ulna

Musculocutaneous nerve
and radial nerve (C7)

Tip of coracoid process of Middle third of medial

scapula
surface of humerus

Musculocutaneous nerve

Flexor retinaculum,
Lateral side of base of
Median nerve
tubercles of scaphoid and proximal phalanx of thumb (recurrent branch)
trapezium

Deep brachial artery

Flexes and supinates forearm at Muscular branches of

elbow
brachial artery

Flexes forearm at elbow

Flexes and adducts arm at
shoulder

Muscular branches of
brachial artery

Abducts thumb

Superficial palmar branch

of radial artery
Hand

Arm

Hand

Deep palmar arch

Hand

Abduct digits from axial line of

hand (3rd digit); flex digits at
Ulnar nerve (deep branch) metacarpophalangeal joint and
extend interphalangeal joints

Flexor retinaculum and

hook of hamate bone

Medial side of base of

proximal phalanx of little
finger

Ulnar nerve (deep branch) Flexes proximal phalanx of little Deep palmar branch of
finger
ulnar artery

Flexor retinaculum and

tubercle of trapezium

Lateral side of base of

Median nerve
proximal phalanx of thumb (recurrent branch)

Flexes proximal phalanx of

thumb

Arm

Deep palmar arch

Base of proximal
phalanges, extensor
expansion of digits 24

Lumbrical, first and second Lateral two tendons of

Lateral sides of extensor Median nerve (digital
flexor digitorum profundus expansion of digits 2 and 3 branches)

Arm

Radial recurrent artery,

muscular branches of
brachial artery

Oblique head: bases of

Medial side of base of
2nd and 3rd metacarpals proximal phalanx of thumb
and capitate and adjacent
bones
Ulnar nerve (deep branch) Adducts thumb
Transverse head: anterior
surface of 3rd metacarpal

Adjacent sides of two

metacarpal bones

Arm

Hand

Superficial palmar branch

of radial artery
Hand

Extend digits at interphalangeal Superficial and deep

joints, flex metacarpophalangeal palmar arches
joints

Hand

Lumbrical, third and fourth Medial three

Lateral sides of extensor Ulnar nerve (deep branch) Extend digits at interphalangeal Superficial and deep
tendons of flexor digitorum expansion of digits 4 and 5
joints, flex metacarpophalangeal palmar arches
profundus
joints

Hand

Opponens digiti minimi

Flexor retinaculum and

hook of hamate bone

Palmar surface of 5th

metacarpal

Ulnar nerve (deep branch) Draws 5th metacarpal anteriorly Deep palmar branch of
and rotates it to face thumb
ulnar artery

Opponens pollicis

Flexor retinaculum and

tubercle of trapezium

Lateral side of 1st

metacarpal

Median nerve
(recurrent branch)

Palmar interosseous
muscles

Bases of proximal phalanx

and extensor expansion of
digits 2, 4, and
Sides of metacarpals 2, 4, 5
Ulnar nerve (deep branch)
and 5

Palmaris brevis

Palmar aponeurosis and

flexor retinaculum

Skin of medial border of

palm

Draws 1st metacarpal forward

and rotates it medially

Hand

Superficial palmar branch

of radial artery
Hand

Adducts digits toward axial line

of hand (3rd digit); flexes digits
at metacarpophalngeal joint and
extends interphalangeal joints
Deep palmar arch

Superficial palmar branch Deepens hollow of hand, assists Superficial palmar arch
of ulnar nerve
grip

Hand

Hand

Sternal half of
Lateral lip of
clavicle, sternum to 7th rib, intertubercular sulcus of
cartilages of true ribs,
humerus
aponeurosis of external
oblique muscle

Pectoral branch of thoracoacromial artery, perforating

branches of internal
Medial and lateral pectoral Flexes and adducts arm, rotates thoracic artery
Pectoral region/
nerves
arm medially
axilla

Outer surface of upper

margin of ribs 35

Coracoid process of
scapula

Medial pectoral nerve

Lowers lateral angle of scapula

and protracts scapula

Pectoral branch of thoraco- Pectoral region/

acromial and intercostal
axilla
lateral thoracic arteries

Posterior surface of ulna,

radius, and interosseous
membrane

Base of 1st
metacarpal

Radial nerve
(posterior interosseous)

Abducts and extends thumb at

carpometacarpal joint

Posterior
interosseous artery

Posterior
forearm

Proximal 2/3 of lateral

supracondylar ridge of
humerus

Lateral side of distal end of

radius
Radial nerve

Weak flexion of forearm when

forearm is midpronated

Radial recurrent artery

Brachioradialis

Posterior
forearm

Extensor carpi radialis

brevis

Lateral epicondyle of
humerus

Dorsal base of 3rd

Radial nerve (deep
metacarpal and slip to 2nd branch)
metacarpal

Extends and abducts hand at

wrist

Radial artery, radial

recurrent artery

Posterior
forearm

Extensor carpi radialis

longus

Distal third of lateral

supracondylar ridge of
humerus

Dorsal base of 2nd

metacarpal and slip to 3rd Radial nerve
metacarpal

Extends and abducts hand at

wrist

Radial artery, radial

recurrent artery

Posterior
forearm

Extensor carpi ulnaris

Lateral epicondyle of
humerus and posterior
border of ulna

Dorsal base of 5th

metacarpal

Extends and adducts hand at

wrist

Posterior
interosseous artery

Posterior
forearm

Extensor digiti minimi

Lateral epicondyle of
humerus

Extensor expansion of 5th Radial nerve

digit
(posterior interosseous)

Extends 5th digit

Posterior
interosseous artery

Posterior
forearm

Lateral epicondyle of
humerus

Extensor expansions of
medial four digits

Extends medial four digits,

assists in wrist extension

Posterior
interosseous artery

Posterior
forearm

Posterior surface of ulna

and interosseous
membrane

Extensor expansion of 2nd Radial nerve

digit
(posterior interosseous)

Extends 2nd digit and helps

extend hand at wrist

Posterior
interosseous artery

Posterior
forearm

Pectoralis major

Pectoralis minor
Abductor pollicis longus

Extensor digitorum

Extensor indicis

Radial nerve
(posterior interosseous)

Radial nerve
(posterior interosseous)

Extensor pollicis brevis

Posterior surface of radius Dorsal base of proximal

and interosseous
phalanx of thumb
membrane

Radial nerve
(posterior interosseous)

Extends proximal phalanx of

thumb at carpometacarpal joint

Posterior
interosseous artery

Posterior
forearm

Extensor pollicis longus

Posterior surface of middle Dorsal base of distal

third of ulna, interosseous phalanx of thumb
membrane

Radial nerve
(posterior interosseous)

Extends distal phalanx of thumb Posterior

at interphalangeal and
interosseous artery
metacarpophalangeal joints

Posterior
forearm

Lateral epicondyle of
humerus, supinator crest
of ulna

Radial nerve (deep

branch)

Supinator

Deltoid

Lateral third of anterior

clavicle, lateral acromion,
inferior edge of spine of
scapula

Infraspinatus

Infraspinous fossa of
scapula and deep fascia

Latissimus dorsi

Lateral, posterior, and

anterior surfaces of
proximal third of radius

Deltoid tuberosity of
humerus

Middle facet of greater

tubercle of humerus

Spinous processes of T7
L5
vertebrae, thoracolumbar
fascia, iliac crest, last 3
Intertubercular sulcus of
ribs
humerus

Axillary nerve

Suprascapular nerve

Thoracodorsal nerve

Supinates forearm
Clavicular part: flexes and
medially rotates arm
Acromial part: abducts arm
beyond initial 15 degrees done
by supraspinatus
Spinal part: extends and laterally
rotates arm
Lateral rotation of arm (with
teres minor)

Extends, adducts, and medially

rotates humerus at shoulder

Radial recurrent artery,

posterior interosseous
arteries

Posterior
forearm

Posterior circumflex
humeral
artery, deltoid branch of
thoraco-acromial artery

Shoulder

Suprascapular artery

Shoulder

Thoracodorsal artery,
dorsal perforating
branches of 9th, 10th, and
11th posterior intercostal,
subcostal, and first three Shoulder
lumbar arteries

Serratus anterior

Lateral surfaces of upper

89 ribs

Costal surface of medial

border of scapula

Long thoracic nerve

Protracts and rotates scapula

Lateral thoracic artery
and holds it against thoracic wall

Shoulder

Subclavius

Upper border of 1st rib and Inferior surface of middle

its cartilage
third of clavicle

Nerve to subclavius

Anchors and depresses clavicle Clavicular branch of

thoraco- acromial artery

Shoulder

Subscapularis

Subscapular fossa

Supraspinatus

Supraspinous fossa of
scapula and deep fascia

Teres major

Teres minor

Lesser tubercle of
humerus

Upper and lower

subscapular nerves

Superior facet of greater

tubercle of humerus

Suprascapular nerve

Posterior surface of inferior Medial lip of

angle of scapula
intertubercular sulcus of
humerus
Upper 2/3 of
Inferior facet of greater
posterior surface of lateral tubercle of humerus
border of scapula

Lower subscapular nerve

Medially rotates arm at shoulder Subscapular artery, lateral

and adducts it, helps hold
thoracic artery
Shoulder
humeral head in glenoid cavity
Initiates arm abduction, acts with
rotator cuff muscles
Suprascapular artery

Shoulder

Adducts and medially rotates

arm

Shoulder

Circumflex scapular artery

Circumflex scapular artery

Axillary nerve

Laterally rotates arm

Shoulder

Levator scapulae

Posterior tubercles of
transverse processes of
C1C4

Medial border of scapula

from superior angle to
spine

Ventral rami of C3 C4
Elevates scapula medially,
and dorsal scapular nerve inferiorly rotates glenoid cavity

Medial border of scapula

below base of spine of
scapula
Rhomboid major

Rhomboid minor

Trapezius

Ligamentum nuchae,
spines of C7 and T1
vertebrae

Superior nuchal line,

external occipital
protuberance, nuchal
ligament, spinous
processes of C7T12

Superficial back

Dorsal scapular nerve

Dorsal scapular OR deep

branch of transverse
cervical artery, dorsal
perforating branches of the
upper five or six posterior
intercostal arteries artery Superficial back

Medial border of scapula at

Dorsal scapular nerve
spine of scapula

Fixes scapula to thoracic wall

and retracts and rotates it to
depress glenoid cavity

Dorsal scapular artery OR

deep branch of transverse
cervical artery, dorsal
perforating branches of the
upper five or six posterior Superficial back
intercostal arteries

Lateral third of clavicle,

acromion, and spine of
scapula

Elevates, retracts, and rotates

scapula; lower fibers depress
scapula

Spinous processes of T2
T5
vertebrae

Fixes scapula to thoracic wall

and retracts and rotates it to
depress glenoid cavity

Dorsal scapular artery,

transverse cervical artery,
ascending cervical artery

Accessory nerve (cranial

nerve XI)

Transverse cervical artery,

dorsal perforating
branches of posterior
Superficial back
intercostal arteries