List of extensors of the human body

In anatomy, extension is a movement of a joint that increases the angle between two bones or body surfaces at a joint. Extension usually results in straightening of the bones or body surfaces involved. For example, extension is produced by extending the flexed (bent) elbow. Straightening of the arm would require extension at the elbow joint. If the head is tilted all the way back, the neck is said to be extended.

Muscles of extension

Upper limb

of arm at shoulder^[1]
- Axilla and Shoulder
of forearm at elbow^[2]
- Posterior compartment of the arm
  - Triceps Brachii
  - Anconeus
of hand at wrist^[3]
- Posterior compartment of the forearm
  - Extensor carpi radialis longus
  - Extensor carpi radialis brevis
  - Extensor carpi ulnaris
  - Extensor digitorum
of phalanges, at all joints
- Posterior compartment of the forearm
  - Extensor digitorum
  - Extensor digiti minimi (little finger only)
  - Extensor indicis (index finger only)
of phalanges, at interphalangeal joints^[4]
- Lumbricals of the hand
- Dorsal interossei of the hand
- Palmar interossei
of thumb^[5]^[6]
- Extensor pollicis brevis (proximal phalange)
- Extensor pollicis longus (distal phalange)

Lower limb

Hip

of thigh/femur at hip^[7]
- Gluteus maximus
- Posterior compartment of thigh

Knee

of leg at knee (L3-L4)^[8]
- Quadriceps
  - Rectus femoris muscle
  - Vastus medialis
  - Vastus lateralis
  - Vastus intermedius

Toes

of toes^[9]^[10]
- Extensor hallucis longus
- Extensor digitorum longus
- Extensor digitorum brevis
- Extensor hallucis brevis

References

[1] Shoulder Articulations

[2] Elbow Articulations

[3] Wrist Articulations

[4] Finger Articulations

[5] Thumb Articulations

[6] Thumb Articulations

[7] Hip Articulations

[8] Knee Articulations

[9] Foot Articulations

[10] Foot Articulations

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]