Part of the TeachMe Series

Muscles in the Posterior Compartment of the Forearm

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Original Author(s): Oliver Jones
Last updated: October 29, 2023
Revisions: 52

Original Author(s): Oliver Jones
Last updated: October 29, 2023
Revisions: 52

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The muscles in the posterior compartment of the forearm are commonly known as the extensor muscles. The general function of these muscles is to produce extension at the wrist and fingers. They are all innervated by the radial nerve.

The muscles in this compartment are organised into two layers; deep and superficial. These two layers are separated by a layer of fascia.

In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the muscles in the posterior forearm – their attachments, actions and clinical relevance.

Superficial Muscles

The superficial layer of the posterior forearm contains seven muscles. Four of these muscles (extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor carpi ulnaris and extensor digiti minimi) share a common tendinous origin at the lateral epicondyle.

Brachioradialis

The brachioradialis is a paradoxical muscle. Its origin and innervation are characteristic of an extensor muscle, but it is actually a flexor at the elbow.

The muscle is most visible when the forearm is half pronated, and flexing at the elbow against resistance.

In the distal forearm, the radial artery and nerve are sandwiched between the brachioradialis and the deep flexor muscles.

  • Attachments: Originates from the proximal aspect of the lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus, and attaches to the distal end of the radius, just before the radial styloid process.
  • Actions: Flexes at the elbow.
Fig 1.0 - The muscles in the superficial layer of the posterior forearm.

Fig 1 – The muscles in the superficial layer of the posterior forearm.

Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus and Brevis

The extensor carpi radialis muscles are situated on the lateral aspect of the posterior forearm. Due to their position, they are able to produce abduction as well as extension at the wrist.

  • Attachments: The ECRL originates from the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus, while the ECRB originates from the lateral epicondyle. Their tendons attach to metacarpal bones II and III.
  • Actions: Extends and abducts the wrist.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve.

Extensor Digitorum Communis

The extensor digitorum is the main extensor of the fingers. To test the function of the muscle, the forearm is pronated, and the fingers extended against resistance.

  • Attachments: Originates from the lateral epicondyle. The tendon continues into in the distal part of the forearm, where it splits into four, and inserts into the extensor hood of each finger.
  • Actions: Extension of the digits at the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve (deep branch).

Extensor Digiti Minimi

The extensor digiti minimi is thought to originate from the extensor digitorum muscle. In some people, these two muscles are fused together. Anatomically, the extensor digiti minimi lies medially to the extensor digitorum.

  • Attachments: Originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. It attaches, with the extensor digitorum tendon, into the extensor hood of the little finger.
  • Actions: Extends the little finger, and contributes to extension at the wrist.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve (deep branch).

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris

The extensor carpi ulnaris is located on the medial aspect of the posterior forearm. Due to its position, it is able to produce adduction as well as extension at the wrist.

  • Attachments: Originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, and attaches to the base of metacarpal V.
  • Actions: Extension and adduction of wrist.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve (deep branch).

Anconeus

The anconeus is situated medially and proximally in the extensor compartment of the forearm. It is blended with the fibres of the triceps brachii, and the two muscles can be indistinguishable.

  • Attachments: Originates from the lateral epicondyle, and attaches to the posterior and lateral part of the olecranon.
  • Actions: Extends and stabilises the elbow joint. Abducts the ulna during pronation of the forearm.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve.
Fig 1.1 - Cross section of the muscles of the distal forearm. Some extensor muscles, such as the anconeus, are not visible as they are situated proximally in the forearm.

Fig 2 – Cross section of the muscles of the distal forearm. Some extensor muscles, such as the anconeus, are not visible as they are situated proximally in the forearm.

Clinical Relevance: Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis (or tennis elbow) refers to inflammation of the periosteum of the lateral epicondyle. The peak age of onset is 40-50 years old.

It is caused by repeated use of the superficial extensor muscles, which strains their common tendinous attachment to the lateral epicondyle.

Deep Muscles

There are five muscles in the deep compartment of the posterior forearm – the supinator, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicis longus and extensor indicis.

With the exception of the supinator, these muscles act on the thumb and the index finger.

Supinator

The supinator lies in the floor of the cubital fossa. It has two heads, which the deep branch of the radial nerve passes between.

  • Attachments: It has two heads of origin. One originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, the other from the posterior surface of the ulna. They insert together into the posterior surface of the radius.
  • Actions: Supinates the forearm.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve (deep branch).

Fig 3 – Muscles in the deep layer of the posterior forearm.

Abductor Pollicis Longus

The abductor pollicis longus is situated immediately distal to the supinator muscle. In the hand, its tendon contributes to the lateral border of the anatomical snuffbox.

  • Attachments: Originates from the interosseous membrane and the adjacent posterior surfaces of the radius and ulna. It attaches to the lateral side of the base of metacarpal I.
  • Actions: Abducts the thumb.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve (posterior interosseous branch).

Extensor Pollicis Brevis

The extensor pollicis brevis can be found medially and deep to the abductor pollicis longus. In the hand, its tendon contributes to the lateral border of the anatomical snuffbox.

  • Attachments: Originates from the posterior surface of the radius and interosseous membrane. It attaches to the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb.
  • Actions: Extends at the metacarpophalangeal and carpometacarpal joints of the thumb.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve (posterior interosseous branch).

Extensor Pollicis Longus

The extensor pollicis longus muscle has a larger muscle belly than the EPB. Its tendon travels medially to the dorsal tubercle at the wrist, using the tubercle as a ‘pulley’ to increase the force exerted.

The tendon of the extensor pollicis longus forms the medial border of the anatomical snuffbox in the hand.

  • Attachments: Originates from the posterior surface of the ulna and interosseous membrane. It attaches to the distal phalanx of the thumb.
  • Actions: Extends all joints of the thumb: carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve (posterior interosseous branch).

Extensor Indicis Proprius

This muscle allows the index finger to be independent of the other fingers during extension.

  • Attachments: Originates from the posterior surface of the ulna and interosseous membrane, distal to the extensor pollicis longus. Attaches to the extensor hood of the index finger.
  • Actions: Extends the index finger.
  • Innervation: Radial nerve (posterior interosseous branch).

Clinical Relevance: Wrist Drop

Wrist drop is a sign of radial nerve injury that has occurred proximal to the elbow.

There are two common characteristic sites of damage:

  • Axilla – injured via humeral dislocations or fractures of the proximal humerus.
  • Radial groove of the humerus – injured via a humeral shaft fracture.

The radial nerve innervates all muscles in the extensor compartment of the forearm. In the event of a radial nerve lesion, these muscles are paralysed. The muscles that flex the wrist are innervated by the median nerve, and thus are unaffected. The tone of the flexor muscles produces unopposed flexion at the wrist joint – wrist drop.

Fig 4 – Wristdrop of the left forearm, as a result of radial nerve palsy.