List of flexors of the human body
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A flexor is a muscle that flexes a joint. In anatomy, flexion (from the Latin verb flectere, to bend)[1] is a joint movement that decreases the angle between the bones that converge at the joint. For example, one’s elbow joint flexes when one brings their hand closer to the shoulder. Flexion is typically instigated by muscle contraction of a flexor.
Flexors[]
Upper limb[]
- of the humerus bone (the bone in the upper arm) at the shoulder
- Pectoralis major
- Anterior deltoid
- Coracobrachialis
- Biceps brachii
- of the forearm at the elbow
- Brachialis
- Brachioradialis
- Biceps brachii
- of carpus (the carpal bones) at the wrist
- flexor carpi radialis
- flexor carpi ulnaris
- palmaris longus
- of the hand
Lower limb[]
Hip[]
The iliacus and nearby muscles
The hip flexors are (in descending order of importance to the action of flexing the hip joint):[2]
- Collectively known as the iliopsoas or inner hip muscles:
- Anterior compartment of thigh
- Rectus femoris (part of the quadriceps muscle group)
- Sartorius
- One of the gluteal muscles:
- Tensor fasciae latae
- Medial compartment of thigh
Without the iliopsoas muscles, flexion in sitting position is not possible across the horizontal plane.[2]
Thigh[]
- of toes
- Posterior compartment of leg
- Flexor hallucis longus
- Flexor digitorum brevis
- Quadratus plantae
- Flexor hallucis brevis
- Flexor digiti minimi brevis
- Posterior compartment of leg
- of proximal phalanges at metatarsophalangeal joint[4]
- Lumbrical muscle (foot)
- Plantar interossei
- Dorsal interossei
Other[]
- torso/lumbar vertebrae
- neck at atlanto-occipital joint
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Anderson, Kenneth N.; et al., eds. (1994). Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book. p. 624. ISBN 9780801672255. OCLC 312496360.
- ^ a b Platzer (2004), p 246
- ^ Knee Articulations
- ^ Foot Articulations
Categories:
- Anatomical terms of motion