View source for Extensor digitorum muscle

{{Muscle infobox |
  Name         = Extensor digitorum muscle |
  Latin        = musculus extensor digitorum |
  GraySubject  = 125 |
  GrayPage     = 451 |
  Image        = Gray418.png |
  Caption      = Posterior surface of the forearm. Superficial muscles. (Extensor digitorum communis visible at center.) |
  Image2       = Gray422.png |
  Caption2     = Transverse section across the wrist and digits. (Ext. dig. communis labeled at bottom center.) |
  Origin       = [[Lateral epicondyle of the humerus|lateral epicondyle]] ([[common extensor tendon]]) |
  Insertion    = 2nd and 3rd [[phalanges]] |
  Action       = [[Extension (kinesiology)|extension]] of [[hand]] and [[finger]]s |
  Antagonist   = [[Flexor digitorum superficialis muscle]], [[Flexor digitorum profundus muscle]] |
  Blood        = |
  Nerve        = [[posterior interosseous nerve]] |
  MeshName     = |
  MeshNumber   = |
  DorlandsPre  = m_22 |
  DorlandsSuf  = 12548891  |
}}
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The '''Extensor digitorum''' ('''Extensor digitorum communis''') arises from the [[Lateral epicondyle of the humerus|lateral epicondyle]] of the [[humerus]], by the common tendon; from the intermuscular septa between it and the adjacent muscles, and from the [[antebrachial fascia]]. 

==Origin, insertion, and relations==
It divides below into four tendons, which pass, together with that of the [[Extensor indicis proprius]], through a separate compartment of the [[dorsal carpal ligament]], within a mucous sheath. 

The tendons then diverge on the back of the hand, and are inserted into the second and third [[phalanges]] of the fingers in the following manner. 

Opposite the [[metacarpophalangeal]] articulation each tendon is bound by [[fasciculi]] to the collateral ligaments and serves as the dorsal ligament of this joint; after having crossed the joint, it spreads out into a broad aponeurosis, which covers the dorsal surface of the first [[Phalanx bones|phalanx]] and is reinforced, in this situation, by the tendons of the [[Interossei]] and [[Lumbricalis]]. 

Opposite the first interphalangeal joint this aponeurosis divides into three slips; an intermediate and two collateral: the former is inserted into the base of the second phalanx; and the two collateral, which are continued onward along the sides of the second phalanx, unite by their contiguous margins, and are inserted into the dorsal surface of the last phalanx. As the tendons cross the interphalangeal joints, they furnish them with dorsal ligaments. 

The tendon to the index finger is accompanied by the [[Extensor indicis proprius]], which lies on its [[ulnar]] side. 

On the back of the hand, the tendons to the middle, ring, and little fingers are connected by two obliquely placed bands, one from the third tendon passing downward and lateralward to the second tendon, and the other passing from the same tendon downward and medialward to the fourth. 

Occasionally the first tendon is connected to the second by a thin transverse band.

==Action==
The Extensor digitorum communis extends the phalanges, then the wrist, and finally the elbow. 

It acts principally on the proximal phalanges, the middle and terminal phalanges being extended mainly by the Interossei and Lumbricales. 

It tends to separate the fingers as it extends them.

==See also==
* [[Extensor digitorum reflex]]
* [[Extensor digitorum longus muscle]] (leg)
* [[Extensor digitorum brevis muscle]] (leg)

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray214.png|Bones of left forearm. Posterior aspect.
 Image:Gray416.png|Tendons of forefinger and vincula tendina.
 Image:Gray417.png|Cross-section through the middle of the forearm. 
 Image:Gray421.png|Transverse section across distal ends of radius and ulna.
 Image:Gray424.png|The mucous sheaths of the tendons on the back of the wrist.
</gallery>

==External links==
* {{MuscleLoyola|edh}}
* {{GPnotebook|-80412638}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|extensor+digitorum+muscle}}
* [http://www.ptcentral.com/muscles/musclearms.html#extensor%20digitorum PTCentral]

{{Gray's}}
{{Template:Muscles_of_upper_limb}}
{{muscle-stub}}

[[Category:Muscles of the upper limb]]

[[de:Musculus extensor digitorum]]
[[fr:Muscle extenseur des doigts]]
[[ja:総指伸筋]]
[[pl:Mięsień prostownik palców]]
[[pt:Músculo extensor dos dedos]]
[[fi:Sormien ojentaja]]
[[sv:Extensor digitorum]]
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