Extensor Digiti Minimi

The extensor minimi digiti is also known as the extensor digiti quinti proprius. It is a slender muscle of the forearm, placed on the ulnar side of the Extensor digitorum communis, with which it is generally connected. It is an antagonist to the Flexor digiti minimi brevis.

Anatomy of the Extensor Digiti Minimi

The extensor minimi digiti is supplied by the posterior interosseous artery which originates from the common interosseous artery and more proximally, the ulnar artery. It is also innervated by the posterior interosseous nerve.

The extensor minimi digiti arises from the common extensor tendon by a thin tendinous slip, from the intermuscular septa between it and the adjacent muscles.

Its tendon runs through a compartment of the dorsal carpal ligament behind the distal radio-ulnar joint, then divides into two as it crosses the hand, and finally joins the expansion of the Extensor digitorum communis tendon on the dorsum of the first phalanx of the little finger.

Functions of the Extensor Digiti Minimi

The main function of the extensor minimi digiti muscle is to extend the little finger at all joints.

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