The forearm is the part of the upper limb located between the shoulder and the hand. There are many different muscles within it, the role of which is, among others participation in the movements of the hand or the movements of its fingers. The most common pathology of the forearm are its fractures, which may occur especially during falls on the straightened upper limb. Check the anatomy of the forearm.

The forearmis part of theupper limband is located between the arm and hand. There are two areas in it, which are the anterior forearm region and the posterior forearm region.The anterior area of ​​the forearmis covered with skin thinner than the skin in the posterior area, so the veins in this part of the forearm are usually clearly visible:

  • elbow vein,
  • cephalic vein
  • and the median vein of the forearm that connects the two veins mentioned above.

There are also cutaneous nerves running in the frontal area of ​​the forearm:

  • medial forearm nerve
  • and lateral forearm nerve.

Win the posterior region of the forearmthere are numerous superficial veins accompanied by lymphatic vessels, as well as the posterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm. It is worth mentioning here a certain structure that distinguishes several compartments within the forearm. It is the fascia of the forearm, which forms specific partitions. Due to the fascia of the forearm, three muscle spaces of the forearm can be distinguished. They are:

  • front space,
  • side space
  • and backspace.

Forearm: muscles of the anterior group

There are muscles in the front of the forearm that are generally referred to as flexors. These muscles are arranged in two layers -superficial and deep . The muscles in the superficial layer include:

  • reversible round muscle,
  • radial wrist flexor,
  • long palmar muscle,
  • superficial finger flexor,
  • elbow wrist flexor.

Other muscles of the anterior forearm are located deeper, such as:

  • muscledeep flexor of fingers,
  • long thumb flexor,
  • recurrent trapezius muscle.

Most of these muscles innervate the median nerve. The exception are two muscles:

  • elbow wrist flexor - innervated by the ulnar nerve)
  • and the deep flexor muscle of the fingers - supplied by both the median and ulnar nerves).

In the frontal area of ​​the forearm, however, there are not only muscles, but also other structures. We can mention here, for example, three located within itneurovascular cords .

Inulnarthere are:

  • ulnar nerve,
  • ulnar artery
  • and two ulnar veins.

Themiddle stringconsists of:

  • median nerve
  • and the artery accompanying the median nerve.

The third cordset isthe interosseous front cordsetconsisting of:

  • anterior interosseous nerve
  • and the anterior interosseous artery and vein.

Forearm: lateral group muscles

The muscles in the lateral space of the forearm are referred to asradial extensor muscles . There are four muscles located in this part of the forearm:

  • brachial radial muscle,
  • extensor muscle of the wrist radial long,
  • wrist extensor muscle radial short,
  • muscle invertor.

All the muscles mentioned above are innervated by the radial nerve.

As in the anterior space, also in the lateral space you can find the neurovascular cord. In this case it isradial cordcontaining:

  • superficial branch of the radial nerve,
  • radial artery
  • and radial cores.

Forearm: back group muscles

In the back space of the forearm are the muscles known as theelbow extensor muscles . They are located in two layers - superficial and deep.

The muscles of the superficial layer of the posterior area of ​​the forearm include:

  • extensor muscle of fingers,
  • extensor muscle of the little finger,
  • elbow extensor muscle.

In the deep muscle layer of the back space of the forearm, there are:

  • short extensor muscle of the thumb,
  • long thumb abductor muscle,
  • long extensor muscle of the thumb,
  • extensor muscle of the pointer.

All of the muscles mentioned above are innervated by one nerve, which is the radial nerve.

There is also a neurovascular cord in the posterior area of ​​the forearm. It is known asposterior interosseous cords.It includes:

  • deep branch of the radial nerve
  • and posterior interosseous artery.

Forearm: bones

There are two bones in the forearm, which areradiusandulna . The radius is more massive than the ulna. The ulna is longer than the radius.

Forearm: fractures

In general, the most common pathology that may affect the forearm is fracture of its bones. Especially often they occur as a result of a fall on a straightened upper limb. They are also possible when someone protects their face from being hit.

There are two specific types of forearm fractures. Both concern the distal epiphysis of the radius:

  • Colles fracture- occurs when the patient falls on an outstretched arm,
  • Smith's fracture- it can happen when the patient falls on a bent arm.

Forearm: diseases

Other he alth problems that may also affect the forearm include overloading the forearm muscles or dysfunction of the nerves running through the forearm. They can take the form of mononeuropathy or polyneuropathy.

  • The humerus - structure, functions, fractures
  • The deltoid muscle - structure, function, pain and exercise
  • Unrecognized wrist bone fractures may lead to pseudo-joint formation

Category:

Anatomy