Flexor carpi ulnaris (Musculus flexor carpi ulnaris)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The most medial anterior-compartment muscle, its two heads arching over the ulnar nerve; the tendon anchors on the pisiform and continues to the fifth metacarpal — the chief stabiliser of the wrist medial column.
Origin & insertion
Humeral head from the medial epicondyle; ulnar head from the posterior ulnar border via the aponeurosis.
Action
Flexes and ulnarly deviates the wrist (paired with extensor carpi ulnaris) and steadies the pisiform in power grip.
Innervation
Ulnar nerve (C7–T1) — the only superficial anterior-compartment muscle with ulnar innervation.
Clinical notes
The ulnar nerve is entrapped between its heads at the cubital tunnel — the second entrapment point after the wrist; its tendon provides the classical medial-plication graft for chronic wrist instability.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Flexor carpi ulnaris?
The most medial anterior-compartment muscle, its two heads arching over the ulnar nerve; the tendon anchors on the pisiform and continues to the fifth metacarpal — the chief stabiliser of the wrist medial column.
Why is the Flexor carpi ulnaris clinically important?
The ulnar nerve is entrapped between its heads at the cubital tunnel — the second entrapment point after the wrist; its tendon provides the classical medial-plication graft for chronic wrist instability.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details