Extensor

Extensor is a term used in anatomy to refer to a muscle whose contraction extends or straightens a limb or other part of the body. The extensor is the opposite of a flexor, a muscle whose contraction bends a limb or other part of the body.

Function

Extensor muscles are located in various parts of the body and serve different functions. For example, the Extensor carpi radialis longus and Extensor carpi radialis brevis in the forearm extend and abduct the wrist. The Extensor digitorum extends the fingers, and the Extensor pollicis longus and Extensor pollicis brevis extend the thumb.

Types of Extensor Muscles

There are several types of extensor muscles in the human body, including:

• Extensor carpi radialis longus
• Extensor carpi radialis brevis
• Extensor digitorum
• Extensor pollicis longus
• Extensor pollicis brevis
• Extensor indicis
• Extensor digiti minimi
• Extensor carpi ulnaris

Clinical Significance

Damage to the extensor muscles can lead to a loss of mobility and function. For example, tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that can occur as a result of overuse of the extensor muscles in the forearm.

See Also

• Flexor
• Muscle
• Anatomy
• Tennis elbow

Extensor Resources
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