Flexor Digitorum Superficialis: The flexor digitorum superficialis muscle is the only muscle of the intermediate compartment. It can sometimes be classed as a superficial layer muscle, but in most cadavers, it lies between the deep and superficial layers of the muscle.
The muscle is a good anatomical landmark in the forearm – the median nerve and ulnar artery pass between its two heads and then travel it posteriorly.
Origin: It has two heads – one originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, the other from the radius. The muscle splits into four tendons at the wrist, which travels through the carpal tunnel.
Insertion: Attaches to the middle phalanges of the four fingers.
Function: Flexes the metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints at the 4 fingers, and flexes at the wrist.
Nerve supply: Median nerve.
Upper Extremity Muscle Atlas
- Abductor Pollicis Longus
- Abductor Digiti Minimi
- Abductor Pollicis Brevis
- Adductor Pollicis
- Anconeus
- Biceps Brachii
- Brachioradialis
- Brachialis
- Coracobrachialis
- Deltoid
- Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
- Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis
- Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
- Extensor Digitorum
- Extensor Digiti Minimi
- Extensor Indicis
- Extensor Pollicis Longus
- Extensor Pollicis Brevis
- Flexor Carpi Radialis
- Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
- Flexor Digitorum Profundus
- Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
- Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis
- Flexor Pollicis Brevis
- Flexor Pollicis Longus
- Infraspinatus
- Interosseous Muscles, Dorsal
- Interosseous Muscles, Palmar
- Levator Scapulae
- Latissimus Dorsi
- Opponens Digiti Minimi
- Opponens Pollicis
- Pectoralis Major
- Pectoralis Minor
- Palmaris Longus
- Pronator Quadratus
- Pronator Teres
- Rhomboid Major and Minor
- Subscapularis
- Supinator
- Serratus Anterior
- Supraspinatus
- Trapezius
- Triceps Brachii
- Teres Major
- Teres Minor