Fascial compartments of the forearm

Anatomical compartments in the forearm

The fascial compartments of the forearm are anatomical divisions within the forearm that contain muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. These compartments are separated by fascia, a type of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles and other structures. Understanding these compartments is crucial for diagnosing and treating conditions such as compartment syndrome.

Anatomy

The forearm is divided into two main fascial compartments:

Anterior Compartment

The anterior compartment of the forearm, also known as the flexor compartment, contains muscles primarily responsible for flexion of the wrist and fingers. It is located on the palmar side of the forearm and is further divided into superficial and deep layers.

• Superficial layer: This includes muscles such as the flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, and the pronator teres. These muscles are primarily involved in flexing the wrist and pronating the forearm.

• Deep layer: This includes the flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus, and the pronator quadratus. These muscles are involved in flexing the fingers and thumb, as well as pronating the forearm.

The anterior compartment is innervated mainly by the median nerve, with some muscles receiving innervation from the ulnar nerve.

Posterior Compartment

The posterior compartment, or extensor compartment, is located on the dorsal side of the forearm. It contains muscles that extend the wrist and fingers.

• Superficial layer: This includes muscles such as the extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, and extensor carpi ulnaris. These muscles are primarily responsible for extending the wrist and fingers.

• Deep layer: This includes the supinator, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicis longus, and extensor indicis. These muscles are involved in extending the thumb and index finger, as well as supinating the forearm.

The posterior compartment is innervated by the radial nerve.

Clinical Significance

The fascial compartments of the forearm are clinically significant because they can be affected by compartment syndrome, a condition where increased pressure within a compartment compromises circulation and function of the tissues within that space. This can occur due to trauma, bleeding, or swelling, and requires prompt medical intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Related pages

• Compartment syndrome
• Forearm
• Fascia
• Muscles of the forearm

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