Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Flexor carpi ulnaris is one of the wrist flexor muscles of the front aspect of the forearm. It also helps extensor carpi ulnaris to ulnar deviate the wrist.

Anatomy of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Flexor carpi ulnaris muscle is antagonist to the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. It is supplied by the ulnar artery and innervated by the muscular branches of ulnar nerve.

Flexor carpi ulnaris muscle arises by two heads - humeral and ulnar, connected by a tendinous arch beneath which the ulnar nerve and ulnar artery pass.

The humeral head arises from the medial epicondyle of the humerus by the common flexor tendon.

The ulnar head arises from the medial margin of the olecranon of the ulna and from the upper two-thirds of the dorsal border of the ulna by an aponeurosis.

Its insertion is into the pisiform bone and then via ligaments into the hamate bone and 5th metacarpal bone, acting to flex and adduct the wrist joint.

Functions of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

The flexor carpi ulnaris muscle assists in flexing the wrist.

You will normally use the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle when gripping something tightly or anytime you use the thumb.

The muscle, like all flexors of the forearm, can be strengthened by exercises that resist its flexion. A wrist roller can be used and wrist curls with dumbbells can also be performed. The most likely injury for this muscle is golfers elbow.

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