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Flexor Digitorum Profundus Anatomy: Origin, Insertion, Action

Flexor Digitorum Profundus Anatomy

Flexor Digitorum Profundus Muscle

Origin:   Anteromedial surfaces of the superior three-quarters of the ulna and adjacent interosseous membrane
Insertion:  Volar surface of the distal phalanx of the four digits
Actions: Flexion of the digits
Innervation: Ulnar Nerve (C8, T1 ) and Anterior Interosseous Branch of the Median Nerve
Blood Supply: Muscular branches and the anterior interosseous artery from the ulnar artery and muscular branches from the radial artery

For information about cause and effect of flexor digitorum profundus pain: Flexor Digitorum Profundus Muscle: Twitching Fingers, Hand Finger Pain

Primary Actions of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus

1.  Flexion of the digits at the proximal interphalangeal joints

  Agonists:

  • Flexor Digitorum Superficialis

  Antagonists:

  • Lumbricals
  • Dorsal Interossei
  • Palmar Interossei
  • Extensor Digitorum
  • Extensor Indicis (second digit)
  • Extensor Digiti Minimi (fifth digit)

2. Flexion of the digits at the distal interphalangeal joints

  Agonists: None

  Antagonists:

  • Lumbricals
  • Dorsal Interossei
  • Palmar Interossei
  • Extensor Digitorum
  • Extensor Indicis (second digit)
  • Extensor Digiti Minimi (fifth digit)

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Secondary Actions of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus

1. Assists with flexion of the digits at the metacarpophalangeal joints

  Agonists:

  • Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
  • Dorsal Interossei
  • Flexor Digiti Minimi (fifth digit)
  • Palmar Interossei
  • Lumbricals

  Antagonists:

  • Extensor Digitorum
  • Extensor Indicis
  • Extensor Digiti Minimi

2. Assists with flexion of the wrist

  Agonists: 

  • Flexor Carpi Radialis
  • Palmaris Longus
  • Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

  Antagonists:

  • Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
  • Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis
  • Extensor Carpi Ulnaris