Extensor
Extensor
Extensor (/ɪkˈstɛnsər/), from the Latin extendere meaning "to stretch out", is a term used in anatomy to refer to a muscle whose contraction extends or straightens a limb or other part of the body.
Etymology
The term extensor is derived from the Latin verb extendere, which means "to stretch out". This is a combination of ex-, meaning "out", and -tendere, meaning "to stretch".
Function
An extensor muscle is any muscle used to straighten out a limb or a joint. In contrast, a flexor is a muscle that does the opposite, it flexes or bends a limb or joint. Extensor muscles are located in various parts of the body, including the arm, leg, spine, and neck.
Examples
Some examples of extensor muscles include:
- Extensor carpi radialis longus: This muscle of the forearm helps in the extension and abduction of the wrist.
- Extensor digitorum: This muscle extends the fingers and is found in the forearm.
- Extensor hallucis longus: This muscle is located in the leg and helps in extending the big toe and dorsiflexing the foot.
Related Terms
- Flexor: A muscle that serves to flex or bend a part of the body.
- Muscle contraction: The activation of tension-generating sites within muscle fibers.
- Anatomy: The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Extensor
- Wikipedia's article - Extensor
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