The elbow muscles can be grouped into those which bend and straighten the elbow joint, and those which act on the radio-ulnar joints, to supinate (turn the palm up) and pronate (palm down) the wrist.
Click the muscles below for further information, including attachment points, actions and nerve supplies.
Movements of the Elbow Muscles
- Flexion - bending the arm at the elbow.
- Extension - straightening the arm at the elbow.
- Supination - turning the palm of the hand upwards.
- Pronation - turning the palm of the hand downwards.
(The bottom two are technically movements at the radio-ulna joints, rather than the elbow. However, the movements are produced by some of the muscles around the elbow joint).