Describe the action of the flexor carpi radialis.

The flexor carpi radialis is a muscle located in the forearm that plays a crucial role in wrist movement. Its primary function is to flex the wrist, which involves decreasing the angle between the hand and the forearm. Additionally, it aids in abduction of the wrist, which is the movement of the hand away from the midline of the body, specifically moving the wrist towards the thumb side.

The combination of flexing and abducting the wrist allows for a greater range of motion and more powerful grip actions, which are essential for numerous daily activities and tasks that involve the upper extremities. Understanding these actions is important for comprehending how the muscles of the forearm work together to facilitate complex hand movements.

The other options do not correctly represent the actions performed by the flexor carpi radialis, focusing instead on different movements that do not apply to this specific muscle's function.