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Radius Bone — All Attachments
The radius is the lateral bone of the forearm, small proximally and expanding distally. Its bony landmarks serve as attachment points for numerous muscles, ligaments, and membranes.
Radius Bone — Anatomy Overview
Radius (right forearm), anterior (a) and posterior (b) views — THIEME Atlas of Anatomy
Radius: Anterior view (showing radial tuberosity, pronator teres roughening, borders), Posterior view, and Distal view showing carpal facets — Gray's Anatomy for Students
Complete Muscle Attachments
🔴 INSERTIONS onto the Radius (muscles that insert here)
| Muscle | Site on Radius | Action |
|---|
| Biceps brachii | Posterior part of radial tuberosity (rough oval impression) | Flexion + supination of forearm |
| Supinator | Lateral, posterior, and anterior surfaces of upper 1/3 of shaft (superior to oblique line) | Supination |
| Pronator teres | Oval roughening on lateral surface of shaft, mid-shaft | Pronation |
| Pronator quadratus | Anterior surface of distal 1/4 of radius | Pronation |
| Brachialis | Coronoid process of ulna (not radius); brachioradialis inserts on radius — see below | |
| Brachioradialis | Lateral surface of distal radius, just proximal to styloid process | Flexion of elbow |
| Flexor pollicis longus | Anterior (palmar) surface of shaft — middle portion | Flexion of thumb |
| Abductor pollicis longus | Posterior surface of middle 1/3 of shaft | Abduction of thumb |
| Extensor pollicis brevis | Posterior surface of distal radius | Extension of thumb MCP |
🔵 ORIGINS from the Radius (muscles that originate here)
| Muscle | Site on Radius |
|---|
| Flexor digitorum superficialis (radial head) | Oblique line / anterior border of radius (upper shaft) |
| Flexor pollicis longus | Anterior surface of shaft (also acts as insertion site for no other — it originates AND inserts here in part) |
| Abductor pollicis longus | Posterior surface of middle 1/3 |
| Extensor pollicis brevis | Posterior surface of distal radius |
| Extensor indicis | Posterior surface of distal radius and interosseous membrane |
🟢 LIGAMENT & MEMBRANE Attachments
| Structure | Site on Radius |
|---|
| Annular ligament of radius | Margins of the radial notch of ulna wraps around radial neck (holds head in place) |
| Interosseous membrane | Sharp interosseous border along entire shaft length |
| Bicipitoradial bursa | Between biceps tendon and radial tuberosity (not an attachment but clinically relevant) |
| Radial collateral ligament | Lateral margin of distal radius extending to radial styloid |
| Articular disc (TFCC) | Ulnar notch and base of radial styloid process |
Pronation & Supination — Muscles on Radius
Muscles attaching to radius that control pronation and supination — Gray's Anatomy for Students
Distal Radius — Articular Attachments
The distal radius has two carpal articular facets:
- Scaphoid facet — lateral
- Lunate facet — medial
Plus the ulnar notch on the medial aspect for articulation with the head of ulna at the distal radioulnar joint.
The dorsal tubercle (Lister's tubercle) on the posterior surface acts as a pulley for the tendon of extensor pollicis longus.
MRI — Biceps Tendon at Radial Tuberosity
Axial MRI: Biceps tendon (B) inserting onto the radial tuberosity (R). A = anterior arc, P = posterior arc. The radial tuberosity protuberance (arrowhead) acts as a cam increasing the supination moment arm.
Summary by Region
Proximal Radius (Head, Neck, Tuberosity)
- Head → Articular fovea articulates with capitulum of humerus; articular circumference articulates with radial notch of ulna
- Neck → Annular ligament encircles here
- Radial tuberosity → Biceps brachii inserts (posterior rough half); Supinator wraps around upper 1/3 of shaft
Shaft of Radius
- Lateral surface mid-shaft → Pronator teres (oval roughening)
- Anterior surface upper shaft / oblique line → Flexor digitorum superficialis (radial head origin)
- Anterior border (oblique line area) → Supinator inserts superiorly to this line
- Posterior surface middle 1/3 → Abductor pollicis longus and Extensor pollicis brevis originate
- Interosseous border → Interosseous membrane
Distal Radius
- Anterior surface distal 1/4 → Pronator quadratus
- Lateral surface distal end → Brachioradialis inserts
- Dorsal tubercle (Lister's) → Pulley for Extensor pollicis longus tendon
- Ulnar notch → Articular disc (TFCC)
- Styloid process → Radial collateral ligament; Brachioradialis inserts just above this
Sources: Gray's Anatomy for Students (9780323934237), THIEME Atlas of Anatomy — General Anatomy & Musculoskeletal System (9781626237186)