Forearm

Forearm
The forearm is highlighted in magenta
Details
Identifiers
Latin	antebrachium
MeSH	D005542
TA98	A01.1.00.024
TA2	146
FMA	9663
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The forearm is the region of the

The forearm contains two long bones, the radius and the ulna,^[2] forming the two radioulnar joints. The interosseous membrane connects these bones. Ultimately, the forearm is covered by skin, the anterior surface usually being less hairy than the posterior surface.

The forearm contains many muscles, including the flexors and extensors of the

The radial and ulnar arteries and their branches supply the blood to the forearm. These usually run on the anterior face of the radius and ulna down the whole forearm. The main superficial veins of the forearm are the cephalic, median antebrachial and the basilic vein. These veins can be used for cannularisation or venipuncture, although the cubital fossa is a preferred site for getting blood.

Structure

Bones and joints

The bones of the forearm are the radius (located on the lateral side) and the ulna (located on the medial side)

Radius

Proximally, the head of the radius articulates with the

Distally it forms part of the distal radioulnar joint and also articulates with the wrist.^[5]

Muscles

• "E/I" refers to "extrinsic" or "intrinsic". The intrinsic muscles of the forearm act on the forearm, meaning, across the elbow joint and the
  supination
  ), whereas the extrinsic muscles act upon the hand and wrist. In most cases, the extrinsic anterior muscles are flexors, while the extrinsic posterior muscles are extensors.
• The brachioradialis, flexor of the forearm, is unusual in that it is located in the
  posterior compartment
  , but it is actually in the anterior portion of the forearm.
• The
  posterior compartment of the arm.^[6]

See separate nerve articles for details on divisions proximal to the elbow and distal to the wrist; see Brachial plexus for the origins of the median, radial and ulnar nerves.

• FDS
  ).
  • PQ
    ).
• ECRB
  ).
  • Superficial branch of radial nerve
  • EI
    ).
• FDP
  ).

Vessels

• Brachial artery
  • Radial artery
    • Radial recurrent artery
    • dorsal metacarpal artery
      • Princeps pollicis artery
  • Ulnar artery
    • Anterior ulnar recurrent artery and posterior ulnar recurrent artery
    • Common interosseous artery
      • Posterior interosseous artery
      • Anterior interosseous artery

Other structures

• Interosseous membrane of forearm
• Annular ligament of ulna

Function

The forearm can be brought closer to the upper arm (

A

For treatment of children with torus fractures of the forearm splinting appears to work better than casting.^[7] Genetically determined disorders like hereditary multiple exostoses can lead to hand and forearm deformities. Hereditary multiple exostoses is due growth disturbance of the epiphyses of the radius and ulna, the two bones of the forearm.^[8]

Additional images

See also

• Forearm flexors

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Forearms.

Look up forearm in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Forearm&oldid=1192494341"