Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Function:
The extensor carpi radialis longus muscle is located at the front of your forearm. It’s main purpose is to extend the wrist and fingers. Its primary function is to provide support for your hand during manual tasks such as typing or writing. You might have heard about its role in sports too!
Extensor carpi radialis longus is not only used for performing manual tasks, but it also helps in lifting heavy objects like books and pencils. It is also involved in some types of physical activities such as gymnastics.
You may have heard about how extensor carpi radialis longus plays a key role in weightlifting exercises. Weightlifters use it to lift weights. They do so with their hands and wrists bent at 90 degrees. This causes the muscles to contract hard and increase the amount of force they produce.
Extensor carpi radialis longus is also known as “the bicep” because it attaches to your arm bone (radius) which is attached to your upper arm bone (1st metacarpal). Your forearm bones are connected through a joint called the interosseous membrane. This is a flat triangular band of tissue which runs from one bone to another. These are extended during the lifting of heavy objects. It helps you lift, carry or move objects with your hands and fingers.
Extensor carpi radialis longus is also used for picking up and carrying items. For example, if you pick up a cup, you will use extensor carpi radialis longus to carry it from one place to another.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Action:
The extensor carpi radialis longus muscle is also called the superficial flexor of the wrist. This is because it is on the front of your forearm and it helps bend your wrist. It also has an effect on your fingers because they are linked to your wrist. The extensor carpi radialis longus muscle attaches to the middle of your forearm.
This muscle can cause bending in your wrist and fingers. This happens when the muscle contracts and pulls down on the bone (radius). It is made up of two sections, a superficial section which is near the surface of the arm and a deep section which is not so easy to feel. The deep section attaches close to the lower end of the radius bone. It runs obliquely upwards and medially (upwards and towards the body’s midline).
Sources & references used in this article:
A new technique for the selective recording of extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis EMG by S Riek, RG Carson, A Wright – Journal of Electromyography and …, 2000 – Elsevier
Extensor carpi radialis brevis: an anatomical analysis of its origin by B Greenbaum, J Itamura… – The Journal of …, 1999 – online.boneandjoint.org.uk
Intraoperative measurement and biomechanical modeling of the flexor carpi ulnaris-to-extensor carpi radialis longus tendon transfer by RL Lieber, J Fride´ n – 1997 – asmedigitalcollection.asme.org
