Superficial Part of Posterior Compartment of Forearm (Left)

Description

The muscles of the superficial part are one of two subgroups of the muscles of the posterior compartment of the forearm, the other being the muscles of the deep part. These muscles mainly act to:

- extend the hand at the radiocarpal (wrist) joint;

- abduct and adduct the hand at the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints;

- extend the fingers at their interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints.

The muscles of the superficial part of the posterior compartment of the forearm consist of the:

- brachioradialis;

- extensor digitorum;

- extensor digiti minimi;

- extensor carpi ulnaris;

- extensor carpi radialis longus;

- extensor carpi radialis brevis.

The extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, and extensor carpi ulnaris muscles share a common extensor tendon, which attaches to both the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. It is a thick, strong tendon that is resistant to high tensile forces.