Extensor muscles
Extensor Muscles
Extensor muscles (/ɪkˈstɛnsər ˈmʌskəlz/), from the Latin ex- meaning "out" and tendere meaning "to stretch", are a group of muscles that help in the movement of certain body parts by extending, or straightening, the joints. They are the opposite of flexor muscles, which bend the joints.
Anatomy
Extensor muscles are found throughout the body, including the arms, legs, neck, and back. In the arms, the main extensor muscles are the triceps brachii and the extensor carpi radialis longus. In the legs, the primary extensor muscles are the quadriceps femoris and the extensor digitorum longus.
Function
The primary function of extensor muscles is to aid in the extension of joints. This means they help to straighten out the body parts they are connected to. For example, the extensor muscles in the arm help to straighten the arm at the elbow, while the extensor muscles in the leg help to straighten the leg at the knee.
Related Terms
- Flexor muscles: The muscles that perform the opposite function of extensor muscles, bending the joints.
- Muscle contraction: The process by which muscles become shorter and thicker, leading to movement.
- Tendon: The fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone, allowing for movement.
- Joint: The area where two bones are attached for the purpose of motion.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Extensor muscles
- Wikipedia's article - Extensor muscles
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