Muscle Name: pronator quadratus

AKA:  musculus pronator quadratus

Abbreviation:  PQ

Spinal Nerve Roots:
    C7
    C8
    T1

Brachial Plexus Trunks:
    middle trunk
    lower trunk

Brachial Plexus Cords:
    medial cord
    lateral cord

Named Nerves:
    median nerve
    anterior interosseous nerve

Proximal Attachment:  Medial, anterior surface of the ulna

Distal Attachment:  Lateral, anterior surface of the radius

Action: pronates the forearm

Needle Insertion:  With the hand midway between supination and pronation, the needle is inserted in the dorsal forearm 3 to 4 centimeters proximal to the wrist extensor and midway between the ulna and radial bones. The needle is inserted deep through the interosseous membrane.

Activation for EMG:  Pronate the hand.

Pitfalls:  

Notes:  May be abnormal in anterior interossous syndrome or a proximal median mononeuropathy.