Flexor Carpi Radialis (right) — EMG Electrode Placement

Recording notes & source

per Criswell 2011, site „Flexor Carpi Radialis and Palmaris Longus“, p. 328

Placement type: Quasi-specific site Neighbouring muscles contribute noticeably to the signal — allow for crosstalk.
Signal check: Flex the wrist.
Crosstalk from: palmaris longus — per Criswell inseparable from the FCR even with miniature electrodes · pronator teres

Print as a session sheet · A4 with landmarks, signal check and MVC test

Source: Green et al. 2015 ↗

Green LA, McGuire J, Gabriel DA. Flexor carpi radialis surface electromyography electrode placement for evoked and voluntary measures. Muscle Nerve. 2015;52(5):818-25.

Methodological background of the source

Green et al. (2015) investigated electrode placement on the flexor carpi radialis for both evoked (M-wave) and voluntary contractions. The position is therefore validated for both use cases — reflex/nerve conduction measures and biofeedback during active wrist flexion.

Based on SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000). Not an official SENIAM product. See all references → · SENIAM reference table · How electrodes are placed (guide) · Glossary

Go deeper Specific, Quasi-Specific, General — The Three Types of Surface EMG Placement → Can I Measure This Muscle With Surface EMG? →

All 49 muscle protocols as a PDF — free

Print-ready for the lab or clinic: 77 pages of protocols (SENIAM + peer-reviewed), plus the SENIAM table, a placement checklist and a sensor comparison sheet as A4 sheets.

Anatomy & Function

The M. Flexor Carpi Radialis (Flexor Carpi Radialis) is a muscle of the forearm region. It is responsible for wrist palmar flexion and radial abduction. This muscle is not covered by the official SENIAM catalogue — placement is based on established clinical literature. This page documents the exact electrode position, anatomical attachments and a standardized test movement based on Hermens et al. (2000).

Function Wrist palmar flexion and radial abduction Origin Medial epicondyle of the humerus Insertion Base of the 2nd metacarpal (palmar) Innervation Median nerve, C6–C8

Innervation after Perotto AO, Anatomical Guide for the Electromyographer, 5th ed. 2011 — an anatomical reference, not an electrode placement recommendation.

Test Movement

Wrist flexion with radial abduction against resistance

This muscle has no SENIAM-standardized electrode position. Placement should be based on anatomical knowledge.

Detail: sensor on the M. Flexor Carpi Radialis — Illustration shows the left side; the set-up is mirrored for the right side.

MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)

Position: Seated or kneeling in front of a bench with the forearm resting on a stable support.
Fixation: Forearm fully supported; wrist free to work against the resistance.
Resistance: Manual resistance, a barbell or a cable/belt against the wrist or hand.
Control exercise: Use the latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major tests as control exercises.

Konrad treats the forearm flexors and extensors as one group; wrist flexion for the flexors, wrist extension for the extensors.

Konrad P. The ABC of EMG. Noraxon; 2005, p. 31. Konrad describes this test at group level; it applies to all muscles of the group. · Why and how to normalise to MVC

Measure M. Flexor Carpi Radialis activity live

The electrode is placed — what next? easyEMG visualises muscle activity in real time, with SENIAM-compliant placement guidance, up to 4 channels at once and biofeedback training right afterwards.

In therapy, this muscle is usually about tone regulation and consciously relaxing below a threshold.

EMG biofeedback in therapy → What is EMG biofeedback? PicoBlue sensors

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Flexor Carpi Radialis?

50% on line from medial epicondyle to radial pulse. Orientation: Parallel to the forearm. Not covered by SENIAM — placement per Green et al. 2015.

Which test movement activates the M. Flexor Carpi Radialis?

Wrist flexion with radial abduction against resistance. It serves as a signal check before recording: with correct electrode placement the EMG amplitude rises clearly during this movement.

Is the M. Flexor Carpi Radialis a SENIAM-recommended muscle?

No. The M. Flexor Carpi Radialis is not included in the official SENIAM catalogue. The electrode position documented here follows the established protocol per Green et al. 2015.

M. Flexor Carpi Radialis

Electrode placement (Green et al. 2015)