The wrist muscles are those which move the wrist and are mostly found in the forearm, with the long tendons crossing the wrist joint and attaching to bones of the hand. Some of these muscles will also move the fingers.
Click on the muscles below for further information including origins, insertions, actions and nerve supplies.
Movements of the Wrist and Hand
These are movements which happen at the wrist and hand/fingers:
- Flexion - bending the wrist so that when palm down, the fingers point to the floor.
- Extension - bending the wrist so that when palm down, the fingers point upwards.
- Radial deviation - also known as adduction. Bending the wrist sideways, leading with the thumb.
- Ulna deviation - also known as abduction. Bending the wrist sideways, leading with the little finger.
- Finger flexion - bends the fingers in towards the palm.
- Finger extension - straightens the fingers from a bent position.