Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Muscle

What is Flexor carpi ulnaris?

The fusiform muscle known as the flexor carpi ulnaris can be found in the forearm’s anterior compartment. Along with the pronator teres, palmaris longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, and flexor carpi radialis, it is a member of the forearm’s superficial flexors. The superficial flexor located most medially is the flexor carpi ulnaris.

The flexor carpi ulnaris flexes the hand at the wrist along with other muscles in the anterior forearm. The flexor carpi ulnaris is also involved in the adduction of the hand at the wrist, in addition to flexing the hand.

Origin of Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Muscle

There are two heads on the flexor carpi ulnaris; two heads, one ulnar and one humeral. The common flexor tendon connects the medial epicondyle of the humerus to the humeral head. The upper two-thirds of the ulnar dorsal border and the medial border of the ulnar olecranon become the ulnar head via aponeurosis. The ulnar nerve and artery are located in the space between the two heads.

Insertion

Through the pisohamate ligament, the flexor carpi ulnaris inserts onto the pisiform, a hamate hook, and the anterior surface of the base of the fifth metacarpal through the pisometacarpal ligament.

Action of Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Muscle

At the wrist joint, the flexor carpi ulnaris adducts and flexes.

Innervation

The ulnar nerve innervates the flexor carpi ulnaris. C8 and T1 are the spinal nerves that correspond.

Blood supply

Flexor carpi ulnaris gets its arterial blood supply through three distinct channels. The muscle is supplied proximally by a branch of the posterior ulnar recurrent artery as it travels between the humeral and ulnar heads. The middle and distal portions of the muscle are supplied by ulnar artery branches, and the inferior ulnar collateral artery also provides an accessory supply distally.

Tendon

On the anterior surface of the distal forearm, you can see the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris. There are two or three tendons on a person’s distal forearm, just before the wrist. The tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris is the one that is closest to the little finger and is located most medially. The flexor carpi radialis tendon is the most lateral, while the palmaris longus tendon is the middle one, though it’s not always there.

Relations

The flexor carpi ulnaris tendon can be felt and seen below the skin just proximal to the wrist joint. In this area, it is the most medial of the tendons that can be seen from a distance.

The flexor carpi ulnaris is medial to the palmaris longus and is superficial to the flexor digitorum superficialis. The ulnar nerve and the posterior ulnar recurrent artery enter the forearm and travel deep to the tendinous arch, which is situated in between the humeral and ulnar heads of the muscle. The ulnar artery and nerve are located distally, lateral to the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.

Function

The flexor carpi ulnaris can flex and move the hand sideways because of where it is in the forearm. The flexor carpi ulnaris contracts with the flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus, resulting in hand flexion at the wrist joint.

However, when it contracts in tandem with the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle in the posterior compartment, its counteracting forces result in ulnar deviation or ulnar flexion, or adduction of the hand at the wrist.

Variability

The muscle can be served as adornment flexor carpi ulnaris muscle and is in many cases joined by attending variations.

Clinical Relevance

By passing between the FCU’s humeral and ulnar heads, the ulnar nerve enters the forearm. Between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris aponeurosis at the cubital tunnel, ulnar nerve compression and entrapment can occur.

The ulnar nerve and artery, which are located just lateral to the FCU tendon at the wrist, can be identified by the location where it inserts.

It and the other wrist flexors share a tendon, and it can cause medial epicondylalgia.

Assessment

Manual Muscle Testing

The patient or client is seated, and their hand and forearm are flat on a table. The therapist is seated on the side of the upper limb being tested, using one hand to stabilize the patient’s forearm and palpate the muscle and its tendon; then, the hand is positioned in supination and extension. while the other hand’s a few fingers are put on the outspread side of the hand at the fifth metacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joint of the patient

Flexor carpi ulnaris stretching

Broaden your arm before you with your palm up.
Point your hand toward the floor as you bend your wrist.
Bend your wrist further with your other hand until you feel a slight to moderate stretch in your forearm.
Hold for at least fifteen to thirty seconds. Two to four times.

Flexor carpi ulnaris strengthening exercise

Eccentric wrist curl

This is a wrist flexor strengthening exercise. To get started, hang the wrist off the table while resting the back of your forearm on a sturdy bench, chair, or table. Flex your wrist upward as you hold weight and curl your wrist. By extending the wrist, slowly lower the weight towards the floor at a 5-second tempo. You can help the other hand lift the weight by using your free hand. Recount as required.

Banded wrist curl

This is a wrist flexor strengthening exercise. To begin, place the back of your forearm on your thigh, gripping a loop band with your palms facing upward and the wrist hanging off the knee. The forefoot serves as an anchor for the other end of the loop band. Twist your wrist by flexing it upwards and gradually lower the wrist down towards the floor by expanding the wrist. Recount as required.

Eccentric wrist and finger curl

This is a wrist and finger flexor strengthening exercise. To get started, hang the wrist off the table while resting the back of your forearm on a sturdy bench, chair, or table. Flex your wrist upward as you hold weight and curl your wrist. By extending the wrist, slowly lower the weight towards the floor at a 5-second tempo. Permit the load to move down to a snare grasp position with your fingers. You can help the other hand lift the weight by using your free hand. Recount as required.

Barbell wrist flexor roller

A strong band, a racked barbell, and a kettlebell are required for this exercise. To get started, wrap one end of the strength band around a barbell’s cuff at shoulder height. To secure the kettlebell in place, feed the other end of the band through the handle’s loop and around the bulb. Hold the barbell cuff with your palms facing down while standing behind it. To flex the wrists and lift the kettlebell off the ground, rotate the barbell cuff away from your body. To allow the kettlebell to descend toward the floor once it has reached its maximum height, slightly loosen your grip. During this phase, pay close attention to how your feet are placed. Alternately, you could roll the barbell cuff forward with your wrists and gradually lower the weight.

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