Pronator teres

Pronator teres is a muscle of the human body that is located in the forearm. It is one of the muscles that serves to pronate the forearm (turn it so that the palm faces downwards). The pronator teres has two heads—humeral and ulnar—that originate from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and the coronoid process of the ulna, respectively. These heads converge to a single tendon that inserts onto the middle of the lateral surface of the radius, a bone of the forearm.

Structure

The pronator teres has a dual head of origin: one from the humerus and the other from the ulna. The humeral head originates from the medial supracondylar ridge and the common flexor tendon from the medial epicondyle of the humerus. The ulnar head originates from the medial side of the coronoid process of the ulna. The fibers of these two heads blend into a single, flat tendon, which inserts onto the middle of the lateral surface of the body of the radius.

Function

The primary function of the pronator teres is to pronate the forearm, turning the hand so that the palm faces posteriorly when the elbow is flexed, and inferiorly when the elbow is extended. It also weakly flexes the elbow.

Clinical significance

Injury or strain to the pronator teres can result in a condition known as pronator teres syndrome, which is characterized by pain in the forearm and hand, and numbness in the thumb and first two fingers.

See also

• List of muscles of the human body
• Forearm

References

Pronator teres Resources
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