Author: Jana Vasković, MD•Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 4 minutes
Recommended video: Posterior compartment of forearm muscles [16:54]
Attachments, innervation, functions and related clinical anatomy of the extensors of the forearm.
Extensor digiti minimi is a long, thin muscle found in the posterior forearm. It extends from the distal humerus to the fifth digit. Together with anconeus, brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum and extensor carpi ulnaris, it is a member of the superficial forearm extensor group.
Just like all the muscles from this compartment, extensor digiti minimi is an extensor muscle. Specifically, its function is to extend the fifth digit at the metacarpophalangeal joint.
Origin | Lateral epicondyle of humerus (common extensor tendon) |
Insertion | Extensor expansion of digit 5 |
Action | Metacarpophalangeal joint 5: Finger extension |
Innervation | Posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8) |
Blood supply | Radial recurrent artery, anterior interosseous artery, posterior interosseous artery |
This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the extensor digiti minimi muscle.
Contents
- Origin and insertion
- Relations
- Innervation
- Blood supply
- Function
- Sources
+ Show all
Origin and insertion
Extensor digiti minimi muscle
Musculus extensor digiti minimi
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Synonyms: none
Extensor digiti minimi originates from the lateral epicondyle of humerus via the common extensor tendon that it shares with extensor digitorum, extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor carpi ulnaris muscles. The muscle courses inferiorly, however, its proximal fibers are usually indistinguishably fused with those of the extensor digitorum muscle.
From approximately the middle of the forearm, the fibers of extensor digiti minimi are clearly separated from extensor digitorum. Here, it can be recognized as an independent muscle sitting just medial to extensor digitorum.
In the lower half of the forearm, the muscle continues as a long tendon that passes deep to the extensor retinaculum. The tendon sits within its own sheath, forming the fifth extensor (dorsal) compartment of the wrist as it crosses the posterior side of the inferior radioulnar joint. The tendon then enters the dorsal aspect of the hand, slightly deviating medially towards the fifth digit as it splits into two slips.
The lateral slip fuses with a few tendinous fibers of extensor digitorum, but ultimately, both slips insert onto the extensor expansion of digit 5. Extensor expansions, or extensor hoods, are aponeurotic sheets on the dorsal surfaces of digits 2-5 that serve as inserting sites for the tendons of digital extensors, lumbricals and interossei muscles.
Relations
Extensor digiti minimi muscle
Musculus extensor digiti minimi
1/3
Synonyms: none
Extensor digiti minimi sits medial to, and is sometimes partially fused with, the extensor digitorum muscle. It is found lateral to extensor carpi ulnaris.
At the extensor retinaculum level, dorsal branches of the ulnar artery and ulnar nerve cross the superficial surface of the tendon of extensor digiti minimi, being separated from it by the extensor retinaculum.
Innervation
Extensor digiti minimi is innervated by the posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8), which is a continuation of the deep branch of the radial nerve. The radial nerve is a branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus.
Blood supply
Blood supply to the extensor digiti minimi muscle comes from two sources;
- Radial artery, via the radial recurrent artery
- Ulnar artery, via the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries
Radial nerve
Nervus radialis
1/4
Synonyms: none
Function
Extensor digiti minimi functions primarily to extend the fifth digit at its metacarpophalangeal joint. It also contributes to extension of the wrist and all the fifth finger joints from the ulnar side of the hand, via it’s attachment into the extensor expansion and by acting along with extensor carpi ulnaris muscle.
Having its own extensor muscle, the little finger can extend independently of digits 2-4. This is because the digits 2-4 are primarily extended by a single muscle that inserts to all of them; the extensor digitorum.
Sources
All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
References:
- Cael, C. (2010). Functional anatomy: Musculoskeletal anatomy, kinesiology, and palpation for manual therapists. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
- Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
- Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
- Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Illustrations:
- Extensor digiti minimi muscle (Musculus extensor digiti minimi) - Yousun Koh
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