Summary
Origins
- Lateral epicondyle of the 🦴 humerus
- Radial collateral ligament of the elbow joint
- Fascia and intermuscular septa of the posterior forearm
Insertions
- Dorsal base of the third metacarpal
Actions
- Extends the wrist
- Abducts the wrist (radial deviation)
- Stabilizes the wrist during forceful finger flexion
The extensor carpi radialis brevis sits deep to the extensor carpi radialis longus near the lateral elbow. Its short muscle belly springs from the common extensor tendon and quickly becomes a flat tendon that tracks along the dorsal radius to the base of the third metacarpal.
Working with extensor carpi radialis longus it produces clean wrist extension, while the pair balances the extensor carpi ulnaris to keep the hand level during gripping. When the fingers flex powerfully, the extensor carpi radialis brevis fires to lock the carpus so the flexors can deliver force through the knuckles.
The muscle is innervated by the deep branch of the radial nerve. Chronic strain at its origin is a hallmark of lateral epicondylitis, so accenting its tension helps sell tennis-elbow poses in figure drawing.
Translations
- French
- court extenseur radial du carpe
- Latin
- musculus extensor carpi radialis brevis
- Russian
- Короткий лучевой разгибатель запястья
- Spanish
- extensor radial corto del carpo