Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus

Courtesy: Prof Nabil Ebraheim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA

Anatomy of EXTENSOR CARPI RADIALIS LONGUS

• ORIGIN: Lower third of lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus.
• INSERTION: Back of base of second metacarpal bone.
• ACTION: Extension and abduction of hand at wrist joint.
• NERVE SUPPLY: Radial nerve (C6)
• CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Tendon of extensor carpi radialis longus is located at second dorsal extensor compartment and is implicated in intersection syndrome. In intersection syndrome, pain is felt in the top of the forearm where two muscles (Abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis) that connect to thumb cross over underlying wrist tendons. Pain is located about 4 cm from the wrist joint.