Flexor carpi radialis muscle

In anatomy, flexor carpi radialis is a muscle of the human forearm that acts to flex and abduct the hand.

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Origin and insertion

This muscle starts at the medial epicondyle of the humerus (as does flexor carpi ulnaris muscle) and attaches to the anterior side of the base of the 2nd metacarpal.

It runs just laterally of flexor digitorum superficialis, and the tendon of flexor carpi radialis can be seen on the anterior of the distal forearm.

On a person's distal forearm, right before the wrist, they will see either two or three tendons. Flexor carpi radialis is the most lateral (closest to the thumb) of these. (The most medial one is flexor carpi ulnaris, and the middle one, if it exists is palmaris longus.)

Nerve and artery

As are most of the flexors of the hand, FCR is innervated by the median nerve. It gets its blood from the ulnar artery.

Exercises

The muscle, like all flexors of the forearm, can be strengthened by exercises that resist its flexion. A wrist roller can be used and wrist curls with dumbbells can also be performed.

See also

• Flexor retinaculum of the hand

Additional images