Hand and arm anatomy

• Beauty Therapy
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Bones and muscles of the hand and arm

Bones and MusclesHand and arm anatomy

By the end of this lesson you will be able to identify:

• The function of the bones of the arm and hand
• The name of the bones of the arm and hand
• The function of the muscles of the arm and hand
  
• The names and actions of the muscles of the arm and hand

Recall the function of
the bones (think about the bones of the cranium and face)

Which bone is part of the wrist?

1. Humerus
2. Capitate
3. Cuboid
4. Phalanges

Which carpal bone is moon-shaped?

1. Lunate
2. Hamate
3. Capitate
4. Sphenoid

Which bone is found in the upper arm?

1. Pisiform
2. Cuboid
3. Humerus
4. Hamate

Which bone is NOT a carpal bone?

1. Triquetrum
2. Phalanges
3. Trapezoid
4. Scaphoid

What is the name of the thumb bone?

1. Pisiform
2. Lunate
3. Trapezium
4. Capitate

How many phalanges are in one finger?

1. Five
2. Four
3. Three
4. Two

Which bone is located in the wrist?

1. Lunate
2. Hamate
3. Scaphoid
4. Pisiform

Muscles are named according to their size, shape, the direction of the fibres, their location, number of origins or heads, their origin and insertion, and their action. 

If you understand these, it will help you to locate and position the muscle more easily.

1. Size: vastus (huge); maximus (large); longus (long); minimus (small); brevis (short).

2. Shape: deltoid (triangular);  teres (round); trapezius (like a trapezoid, a four-sided figure with two sides parallel).

3. Direction of fibres: rectus (straight); transverse (across); oblique (diagonally); orbicularis (circular).

4. Location: pectoralis (chest);  brachii (arm); supra- (above); infra- (below); sub- (under or beneath); lateralis (lateral).

5. Number of origins: biceps (two heads); triceps (three heads); quadriceps (four heads).

6. Origin and insertion: sternocleidomastoideus (origin on the sternum and clavicle, insertion on the mastoid process); brachioradialis (origin on the brachium or arm, insertion on the radius).

7. Action: abductor (to abduct a structure); adductor (to adduct a structure); flexor (to flex a structure); extensor (to extend a structure); levator (to lift or elevate a structure); masseter (a chewer).

Which muscle is responsible for thumb extension?

1. Flexor carpi radialis
2. Extensor pollicis

What does the extensor digitorum do?

1. Extends the fingers
2. Flexes the fingers

Which muscle extends the wrist?

1. Extensor carpi radialis
2. Flexor carpi ulnaris

Which muscle is a pronator of the forearm?

1. Brachioradialis
2. Pronator teres

What is the function of flexor muscles?

1. Bend the wrist and fingers
2. Straighten the wrist and fingers