Muscles of the Posterior Forearm – Superficial View

• • Click here for access to the full Anatomy Glossary.
  • Right click on the image for a downloadable file of this muscle.
  • Use of this artwork requires proper credit to be given (Permission: Dr. Joe Muscolino. www.learnmuscles.com – art work Giovanni Rimasti)

The muscles of the posterior forearm seen in this superficial view are the:

• • • Extensor carpi radialis longus
    • Extensor carpi radialis brevis
    • Extensor digitorum
    • Extensor digiti minimi
    • Extensor carpi ulnaris
    • Anconeus

Also seen are the:

• Triceps brachii
• Brachioradialis
• Flexor carpi ulnaris
• Abductor pollicis longus
• Extensor pollicis brevis
• Extensor pollicis longus

Notes:

• • • The extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, and extensor carpi ulnaris attach proximally into the common extensor belly/tendon, and are involved in tennis elbow (aka lateral elbow tendinopathy, lateral epicondylitis, lateral epicondylosis).
    • The extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, and extensor carpi ulnaris are members of the wrist extensor group.
    • The brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, and extensor carpi radialis brevis are members of the radial group.

The muscles of the right-side posterior forearm seen in this deep view are the extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, extensor carpi ulnaris, and the anconeus.