Extensor digiti minimi muscle

Extensor digiti minimi
The superficial layer of muscles of the posterior aspect of the right forearm. (Extensor digiti minimi labeled 9 at center left.)
Details
Origin	The anterior portion of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (common extensor tendon)
Insertion	At the extensor expansion, located at the base of the middle and distal phalanx of digit V on the dorsal side
Artery	Posterior interosseous artery
Nerve	Posterior interosseous nerve (C7, 8)
Actions	Extends the wrist and the little finger at all joints
Antagonist	Flexor digiti minimi brevis
Identifiers
Latin	musculus extensor digiti minimi
TA98	A04.6.02.044
TA2	2506
FMA	38503
Anatomical terms of muscle

Extensor digiti minimi: outline and attachment footprints. (After Gerrish.)

The extensor digiti minimi (extensor digiti quinti proprius) is a slender muscle of the forearm, placed on the ulnar side of the extensor digitorum communis, with which it is generally connected.

It arises from the common extensor tendon by a thin tendinous slip and frequently from the intermuscular septa between it and the adjacent muscles.

Its tendon passes through a compartment of the extensor retinaculum, posterior to distal radio-ulnar joint, then divides into two as it crosses the dorsum of the hand, and finally joins the extensor digitorum tendon. All three tendons attach to the dorsal digital expansion of the fifth digit (little finger). There may be a slip of tendon to the fourth digit.

Variations

• An additional fibrous slip from the lateral epicondyle: The tendon of insertion may not divide or may send a slip to the ring finger.
• Absence of the muscle is rare; fusion of the belly with the extensor digitorum communis is not uncommon.
• Variations of the fifth extensor compartment, which the extensor digiti minimi runs through, may cause tenosynovitis and can limit the use of the extensor digiti minimi.
• The extensor digiti minimi can also be bifurcated, which means split, at many different points in the muscle.

Functions

The extensor digiti minimi is a two joint muscle. It acts as an extensor in both joints. It extends the wrist, which means it moves the back of the hand toward the back of the forearm. It also extends the little finger, which means it straightens the little finger from a fist.

Additional images

• 
  Bones of left forearm. Posterior aspect.
• 
  Posterior surface of the forearm. Superficial muscles.
• 
  Transverse section across distal ends of radius and ulna.
• 
  Transverse section across the wrist and digits.
• 
  Extensor digiti minimi muscle
• 
  Extensor digiti minimi muscle
• 
  Extensor digiti minimi muscle
• 
  Muscles of hand. Posterior view.
• 
  Muscles of hand. Posterior view.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 451 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

• Saladin, Kenneth S (2012). Anatomy & Physiology: the Unity of Form and Function (6th ed.). The McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-337825-1.
• Tanaka, T; Moran, S; Zhao, C; Zobitz, ME; An, KN; Amadio, PC (Aug 2007). "Anatomic variation of the 5th extensor tendon compartment and extensor digiti minimi tendon". Clin. Anat. 20 (6): 677–82. doi:10.1002/ca.20480. PMID 17352412. S2CID 44832198.
• Yoo, Moon-Jib; Chung, Kyung-Tae (December 2011). "Tendon impingement of the extensor digiti minimi: clinical cases series and cadaveric study". Clinical Anatomy. 25 (6). Wiley Periodicals: 755–61. doi:10.1002/ca.22017. PMID 22162183. S2CID 34856936.