Extensor retinaculum of the hand

Extensor retinaculum of the hand
The mucous sheaths of the tendons on the back of the wrist. (Dorsal carpal ligament labeled at bottom center.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	retinaculum musculorum extensorum manus
TA98	A04.6.03.010
TA2	2546
FMA	39987
Anatomical terminology

The extensor retinaculum (dorsal carpal ligament) is an anatomical term for the thickened part of the antebrachial fascia that holds the tendons of the extensor muscles in place. It is located on the back of the forearm, just proximal to the hand. It is continuous with the palmar carpal ligament, which is located on the anterior side of the forearm.

It is a strong, fibrous band, extending obliquely downward and medialward across the back of the wrist, and consisting of part of the deep fascia of the back of the forearm, strengthened by the addition of some transverse fibers.

It is attached, medially, to the styloid process of the ulna and to the triangular and pisiform bones; laterally, to the lateral margin of the radius; and, in its passage across the wrist, to the ridges on the dorsal surface of the radius.

Additional images

• 
  Transverse section across distal ends of radius and ulna.

External links

• Template:EMedicineDictionary
• Hand kinesiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center