Mar 27, Wrist Extensors | Hand & Forearm Anatomy & Exercises

The wrist extensors are primarily responsible for extension of the hands and fingers at the wrist joint.

This small, but critical group of muscles includes eight individual muscles. These muscles may act individually, but they usually act together to perform movements.

On this page, you can find all information you'd want about this hand and forearm muscle group. Learn the anatomy, view pictures and discover the best exercises for training these muscles.

Use the table of contents (TOC) to easily navigate through this guide.

Forearm MusclesHand ExtensorsHand MusclesWrist Muscles

Origin

Lateral epicondyle of the humerus

Insertion

Extensor expansions of the medial four digits

Function

Wrist extensionExtension of the proximal phalanges

Origin

Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus

Insertion

The base of the 2nd metacarpal bone

Function

Wrist extensionWrist abduction

Origin

Lateral epicondyle of the humerus

Insertion

The base of the 3rd metacarpal bone

Function

Wrist extensionWrist abduction

Origin

1st Head Lateral epicondyle of the humerus2nd Head

Insertion

The base of the 5th metacarpal bone

Function

Wrist extensionWrist adduction

Origin

Posterior surface of the ulna and interosseous membrane

Insertion

Extensor expansion of the 2nd digit (the index finger)

Function

Wrist extensionExtension of the index finger (which enables you to "point" with this finger)

Origin

Lateral epicondyle of the humerus

Insertion

Extensor expansion of the 5th digit

Function

Wrist extensionExtension of the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit at the metacarpophalangeal joints

Origin

Posterior surface of the medial third of the ulna and interosseous membrane

Insertion

Base of the distal phalanx of the thumb

Function

Wrist abductionAdduction and lateral rotation of the extended thumbExtension of the distal phalanx of the thumbExtension of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal thumb joints (only after distal phalanx extension)

Origin

Posterior surface of the radius and interosseous membrane

Insertion

Base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb

Function

Extension of the metacarpal bone of the thumbExtension of the proximal phalanx of the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal jointWrist abductionWrist extension^ up to TOC

Barbell

Dumbbell

Dumbbell Radial DeviationDumbbell Reverse Wrist Curl

Cable

Machine

Reverse Wrist CurlMachine Radial DeviationMachine Roller Radial Deviation

Other

Stretches

Kneeling Wrist StretchSingle Arm Wrist Stretch^ up to TOC

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