Human Anatomy for the Artist. While the ventral side of the forearm is not actually less complicated than the dorsal side, it appears so because few of its muscles show clearly. Compared to the dorsal side of the forearm, the ventral surface is smooth and uncomplicated. The ventral side of a vertebrate is generally considered its "underbelly"-- paler and less hairy than its dorsal counterpart because of fewer hair follicles and less melanin production. But the distal end of the ventral forearm does have a few prominent surface landmarks. I write "a few" instead of a specific number because the number depends on the individual; one of the tendons that's often seen at this location is actually missing in 12-15% of the human population!
Let's back up a little. If both the flexor carpi radialis tendon and the palmaris long tendon are visible, it's easy to tell one from the other; the flexor carpi radialis tendon is more toward the radial (thumb) side of the arm, as its name implies. Human Anatomy for the Artist. Anatomy References for Artists. Com.