Extensor Retinaculum (Wrist)

Original Editor - Sameera Withanage

Top Contributors - Sameera Withanage, Kim Jackson, Ewa Jaraczewska, Lucinda hampton and Carina Therese Magtibay

Description

Extensor Retinaculum of the wrist

Extensor Retinaculum is a fibrous, thickened band that holds the extensor tendons at the dorsum of the wrist. It is an oblique band runs downwards and medially preventing bowstringing.

Attachments

Laterally:

1. Lower part of the anterior border of the radius.

Medially:

1. Styloid process of the ulna.
2. Triquetral.
3. Pisiform.

Function

Extensor Retinaculum helps to keep the extensor tendons in alignment and prevent bowstringing during movements.

Clinical relevance

By extending fascial attachments to the underlying bones and periosteum, the retinaculum forms six osseofascial compartments over the dorsal wrist. There are several structures passing through each compartment from lateral to the medial side and each compartment is lined by a synovial sheath.

Structures passing through Extensor retinaculum

Compartment	Structure
1	Abductor pollicis longus Extensor pollicis brevis
2	extensor carpi radialis longus Extensor carpi radialis brevis
3	Extensor pollicis longus
4	Extensor digitorum Extensor indicis Posterior interosseous nerve Anterior interosseous artery
5	Extensor digiti minimi
6	Extensor carpi ulnaris