Summary
Origins
- Common flexor tendon attached to medial epicondyle of 🦴 humerus
- Coronoid process of the 🦴 ulna
Insertions
- Middle of lateral surface of the 🦴 radius
Actions
- Pronates the forearm
- Assists elbow flexion; see elbow flexors
The pronator teres forms a diagonal strap that crosses the proximal forearm. Its humeral head arises from the medial epicondyle alongside the flexor carpi radialis, while a slender ulnar head originates from the coronoid process. The two heads cradle the median nerve before converging on the lateral radius, rotating the bone to turn the palm downward.
It initiates pronation against resistance, then hands off to the deep fibers of the pronator quadratus. The supinator and biceps reverse the motion when the palm turns upward. The muscle helps stabilize the elbow during grasping, bracing the flexor digitorum superficialis and palmaris longus as they course distally. Its oblique strap crosses the brachioradialis, carving the groove that divides the flexor and extensor masses.
Translations
- French
- pronateur rond
- Russian
- Круглый пронатор