Extensor pollicis longus muscle
Last revised by Joachim Feger ◉ on 26 Aug 2021
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Mirt G, Feger J, Bell D, et al. Extensor pollicis longus muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 06 Dec 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-40129
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rID:
40129
Article created:
08 Oct 2015 by Greg Mirt
Revisions:
21 times by 12 users - see full revision history
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Section:
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Synonyms:
- Extensor pollicis longus muscles
- Extensor pollicis longus (EPL) muscle
Extensor pollicis longus (EPL) muscle is a muscle of the deep compartment in the posterior compartment of the forearm. It passes through the 3rd extensor compartment of the wrist, then continues laterally towards the thumb around Lister's tubercle. The tendon of EPL defines the ulnar border of the anatomical snuffbox. It is one of the extrinsic muscles of the hand.
Summary
- origin: posterior surface of the middle 1/3 of the ulna and interosseous membrane
- insertion: posterior surface of the base of the distal phalanx of thumb
- innervation: posterior interosseous nerve (C7 and C8), a continuation of the deep branch of the radial nerve (C7, C8)
- arterial supply: anterior and posterior interosseous arteries
- action: extends the thumb at the carpometacarpal and interphalangeal joints, and partially adducts 1st metacarpal
Related pathology
- distal intersection syndrome
- EPL tenosynovitis, common after activities such as drum playing
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:044304662X. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Standring, Susan, and Henry Gray. 2008. Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. [Edinburgh]: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. http://www.clinicalkey.com/dura/browse/bookChapter/3-s2.0-B9780443066849X5001X
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
-
skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- hand
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
-
accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os epitriquetrum
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
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pectoral girdle
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shoulder joint
- articulations
- associated structures
- joint capsule
- bursae
- ligaments
- movements
- scapulothoracic joint
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glenohumeral joint
- arm flexion
- arm extension
- arm abduction
- arm adduction
- arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
- arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
- circumduction
- arterial supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centers
-
shoulder joint
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elbow joint
- proximal radioulnar joint
- ligaments
- associated structures
- movements
- alignment
- arterial supply - elbow anastomosis
- development
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wrist joint
- articulations
-
ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
- extrinsic ligaments
- radioscaphoid ligament
- dorsal intercarpal ligament
- dorsal radiotriquetral ligament
- dorsal radioulnar ligament
- volar radioulnar ligament
- radioscaphocapitate ligament
- long radiolunate ligament
- Vickers ligament
- short radiolunate ligament
- ulnolunate ligament
- ulnotriquetral ligament
- ulnocapitate ligament
- ulnar collateral ligament
- associated structures
- extensor retinaculum
- flexor retinaculum
- joint capsule
- movements
- alignment
- ossification centers
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hand joints
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
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metacarpophalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
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interphalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
- movements
- ossification centers
- articulations
-
pectoral girdle
- spaces of the upper limb
- muscles of the upper limb
- shoulder girdle
- anterior compartment of the arm
- posterior compartment of the arm
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anterior compartment of the forearm
- superficial
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posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
- superficial
- deep
- muscles of the hand
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accessory muscles
- elbow
- volar wrist midline
- palmaris longus profundus
- aberrant palmaris longus
- volar wrist radial-side
- accessory flexor digitorum superficialis indicis
- flexor indicis profundus
- flexor carpi radialis vel profundus
- accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus (Gantzer muscle, common)
- volar wrist ulnar-side
- dorsal wrist
- blood supply to the upper limb
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arteries
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- axillary artery
- brachial artery (proximal portion)
- ulnar artery
- radial artery
- veins
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arteries
- innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
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brachial plexus (mnemonic)
- branches from the roots
- branches from the trunks
- branches from the cords
- lateral cord
- posterior cord
- medial cord
- terminal branches
- lymphatic drainage of the upper limb
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