Which muscles are part of the radial deviators?

The radial deviators of the wrist include the extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi radialis longus, and flexor carpi radialis. These muscles work together to facilitate radial deviation, which is the movement of the wrist towards the thumb side (the radial side) of the forearm.

The extensor carpi radialis longus and extensor carpi radialis brevis are located on the posterior side of the forearm and play a crucial role in extending and radially deviating the wrist. The flexor carpi radialis, located on the anterior side of the forearm, contributes to flexion of the wrist as well as radial deviation. Together, these muscles effectively coordinate to achieve the motion of moving the wrist toward the radial side.

Understanding the role of these muscles is important for clinical practice in orthotics and prosthetics, as weakness or injury in these muscles can impact wrist motion and stability, affecting overall hand function.