List of flexors in the human body

List of Flexors in the Human Body

The human body comprises various muscles that enable movement and flexibility. Among these, flexor muscles play a crucial role in bending joints and assisting in the flexion of various body parts. This article provides a comprehensive list of flexor muscles in the human body, categorized by the region they are located in.

Upper Limb Flexors

The upper limb flexors are primarily responsible for the bending of the elbow, wrist, and fingers. They facilitate movements such as gripping, holding, and manipulating objects.

Arm

• Biceps Brachii: A major muscle of the upper arm that flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm.
• Brachialis: Acts primarily to flex the elbow.

Forearm

• Flexor Carpi Radialis: Flexes and abducts the wrist.
• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Flexes and adducts the wrist.
• Flexor Digitorum Superficialis: Flexes the middle phalanges of the fingers.
• Flexor Digitorum Profundus: Flexes the distal phalanges of the fingers.
• Flexor Pollicis Longus: Flexes the thumb.
• Palmaris Longus: A muscle that flexes the wrist and tenses the palmar fascia.

Lower Limb Flexors

Lower limb flexors are involved in movements such as walking, running, and jumping. They play a significant role in flexing the hip, knee, and foot.

Thigh

• Iliopsoas: A major hip flexor, composed of the Iliacus and Psoas Major muscles.
• Sartorius: Flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates the thigh at the hip joint.

Leg

• Gracilis: Adducts the thigh, flexes, and medially rotates the leg.
• Hamstring Muscles: Including the Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, and Semimembranosus, these muscles flex the knee and extend the hip.

Foot

• Flexor Hallucis Longus: Flexes the big toe and assists in plantar flexion of the foot.
• Flexor Digitorum Longus: Flexes the toes and assists in plantar flexion of the foot.

Function and Importance

Flexor muscles are vital for performing everyday activities and tasks. They work in coordination with extensor muscles, which perform the opposite action of extension. The balance between flexor and extensor muscles is crucial for smooth and coordinated movements.

See Also

• Muscular System
• Extensor Muscles
• Human Anatomy