What Is the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus?
The extensor carpi radialis longus is a thin, long muscle that is found in the forearm. It is one of five primary muscles in the arm that are used to move and control the wrist joint. Its main function is to dorsiflex the wrist joint as well as abduct the hand. The muscle is commonly involved in overuse injuries of the forearm such as tendinitis which occur with a variety of sports such as rowing, badminton and tennis. The origin of the extensor carpi radialis longus is at the humerus and the insertion is on the dorsal side of the second of the series of bones known as the metacarpals. It has its innervations via the radial nerve. As a muscle the extensor carpi radialis longus is relatively long and extends from the elbow down to the wrist. An example of a common use of the muscle is typing which recruits many of the muscles in the forearm.
