Extensor Digitorum Communis
This article is currently under review and may not be up to date. Please come back soon to see the finished work! (10 June 2024)
Original Editor - Simisola Ajeyalemi
Top Contributors - Simisola Ajeyalemi and Manisha Shrestha
Description[edit | edit source]
The extensor digitorum communis is a superficial extensor muscle located in the posterior compartment of the forearm. [1] It shares a common synovial tendon sheaths along with other extensor muscles which helps to reduce friction between the tendon and the surrounding structures. As it courses the dorsum of the hand, the extensor digitorum communis muscle spreads out into four (4) flat tendons deep to the extensor retinaculum to the medial four fingers.
Origin[edit | edit source]
Lateral epicondyle of the humerus at the common extensor tendon.
Insertion[edit | edit source]
Inserts into the extensor expansion of the medial four digits.
Nerve[edit | edit source]
Deep branch of radial nerve
Artery[edit | edit source]
The extensor digitorum communis is supplied by the posterior interosseous artery and the radial recurrent artery.
Function[edit | edit source]
The extensor digitorum communis acts to extend the medial four fingers with the extensor indicis, and extensor digiti minimi. Primarily, it extends medial four digits at the metacarpophalangeal jpoints and secondarily at the interphalangeal joints.
