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Extensor pollicis brevis
Other Terms:
Musculus extensor pollicis brevis,
Muscle court extenseur du pouce
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus extensor pollicis brevis
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Antebrachial muscle – posterior compartment – radial group
Etymology
In English this muscle’s name is the short muscle that straightens the thumb. The word extensor comes from the Latin ex meaning “out from” and tendere meaning “to stretch.”The Latin pollex meaning “thumb” arises from the Latin polleo meaning “to be strong,” as the thumb was the strongest of the fingers.Brevis is the Latin term meaning “short.” This is being used as a comparative reference to a longer muscle that does the same thing.
Origin
Posterior surface of the radius distal to the abductor pollicis and the adjacent interosseous membrane
Insertion
Dorsolateral surface on the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb
Action
Extends the metacarpal bone and proximal phalanx of the thumb
Nerve supply
Radial nerve (C7 and C8)
Blood supply
From proximal to distal, the muscle belly receives blood from the posterior interosseous artery and perforating branches from the anterior interosseous artery. The distal tendon receives blood from the a branch of the radial artery in the anatomical snuff box, the dorsal metacarpal artery, and small branches from the dorsal carpal arch.
Latin
Musculus extensor pollicis brevis
French
Muscle court extenseur du pouce