Predict the location and function of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle based only on its name.

Question

Accepted Answer

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together. The flexor digitorum profundus is responsible for option A flexes, the toes. B flexing the thumb C, it pron its the wrist and D it pulls the lateral four digits toward the hand. So, recall that the flexor digitorum profundus is a forearm muscle knowing this, we can immediately eliminate option A because since it is located on the forearm, it won't be a muscle that flexes the toes. This action is actually done by both the flexor digitorum longus and flexor Haasis Longus. Now option B, flexing the thumb, recall that this is the action of flexor polys longus. So we can also eliminate option B. Option C recall that wrist pronation is produced by the muscle pronator teres. So the muscle pronator tries causes forearm pronation and also wrist pronation. So we can eliminate option C as well. Therefore, the flexor digitorum profundus pulls the lateral four digits toward the hand. The tendons of this muscle attach at the distal end of the fingers. So when the muscle contracts, it pulls the fingers towards the hands. So the correct answer is option D, it pulls the lateral four digits toward the hand. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.

Predict the location and function of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle based only on its name.

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Key Concepts

Muscle Anatomy

Muscle Function

Forearm Musculature