Upper limb anatomy
The upper limb is built for reach and manipulation. The shoulder girdle gives it a very wide range of motion, the arm and forearm position the hand, and the hand performs fine movements using intrinsic and extrinsic muscles.
Search-friendly reference pages list each muscle’s origin, insertion, nerve supply and action, with 3D models showing the attachments on the skeleton.
Muscles of the upper limb
MuscleUpper limb
Biceps brachii
MuscleUpper limb
Brachialis
MuscleUpper limb
Brachioradialis
MuscleUpper limb
Coracobrachialis
MuscleUpper limb
Deltoid
MuscleUpper limb
Extensor carpi radialis longus
MuscleUpper limb
Flexor carpi radialis
MuscleUpper limb
Flexor digitorum profundus
MuscleUpper limb
Flexor digitorum superficialis
MuscleUpper limb
Infraspinatus
MuscleUpper limb
Palmaris longus
MuscleUpper limb
Pronator teres
MuscleUpper limb
Subscapularis
MuscleUpper limb
Supraspinatus
MuscleUpper limb
Teres major
MuscleUpper limb
Teres minor
MuscleUpper limb
Triceps brachii
Bones of the upper limb
Common questions
What are the rotator cuff muscles?
The rotator cuff comprises supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Their tendons blend with the shoulder joint capsule and hold the head of the humerus in the shallow glenoid cavity.
Which nerves supply the muscles of the arm?
The anterior compartment of the arm is mainly supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve and the posterior compartment by the radial nerve.