Upper limb
Flexor Carpi Radialis
Musculus flexor carpi radialis
- Origin
- Medial epicondyle of the humerus (common flexor tendon)
- Insertion
- Base of the second and third metacarpal bones
- Function
- Flexes the wrist and moves it into radial deviation
- Innervation
- Median nerve, C6–C7
- Movement & chain
- Works together with extensor carpi radialis longus for radial deviation; contributes to a stable wrist position during precision grips.
- Palpation
- The tendon is clearly palpable on the radial side of the palmar wrist crease, directly lateral to the tendon of palmaris longus (if present).
- Clinical
- Tendinopathy of this tendon causes pain just proximal to the palm and is sometimes confused with De Quervain's syndrome or scapholunate complaints; the tendon is also used as a donor for tendon grafts.
- Segmental innervation
- Part of the C6–C7 myotome via the median nerve.
- In clinical practice
- The tendon of flexor carpi radialis is a landmark for locating the radial artery, just lateral to the tendon.
- Region in the model
- Upper limb