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Muscle Origin Insertion Action Nerve
Superficial layer
anconeus lateral epicondyle of humerus posterior ulna (lateral olecranon extending to lateral part of ulna) extension of forearm at elbow; supports elbow when in full extension radial nerve (C6, C7, C8)
extensor carpi radialis longus lower lateral supracondylar ridge (below brachioradialis) base of 2nd metacarpal extension of hand at wrist; radially deviation (abduction) of hand at wrist; flexion & supination of forearm at elbow (weak action) radial nerve (C5, C6)
extensor carpi radialis brevis lateral epicondyle via common extensor tendon base of 3rd metacarpal extension of hand at wrist; radial deviation (abduction) of hand at wrist; flexion of forearm at elbow joint (weak action) radial nerve (C7, C8)
extensor digitorum lateral epicondyle of humerus (via common extensor tendon) phalanges #2-5 (dorsal expansion hood) extension of fingers #2-5 (at MCP, PIP & DIP joints); extension of hand at wrist; extension of forearm at elbow (weak) radial nerve (C7, C8)
extensor digiti minimi lateral epicondyle of humerus (via common extensor tendon) middle & distal phalanges of 5th digit (extensor expansion) extension of little finger (5th digit); extension of hand at wrist; extension of elbow (weak action) radial nerve (C6, C7, C8)
extensor carpi ulnaris humeral head: lateral epicondyle (via common extensor tendon); ulnar head: posterior shaft of ulna base of 5th metacarpal (posterior side) ulnar deviation of hand at wrist; extension of hand at wrist; extension of forearm at elbow (weak action) radial nerve (C6, C7, C8)
Deep Layer
abductor pollicis longus posterior surfaces of ulna, radius & interosseous membrane (middle 1/3 of forearm) base of 1st metacarpal (lateral side) abduction of thumb at metacarpophalangeal joint; radially deviation (abduction) hand at wrist; assists with extension & rotation of thumb; assists with flexion & supination of hand at wrist radial nerve (C7, C8)
extensor pollicis brevis posterior distal 1/3 surfaces of radius & interosseous membrane base of proximal phalanx of thumb extension of proximal phalanx & 1st metacarpal of thumb; radially deviation (abduction) of hand at wrist radial nerve (C7, C8)
extensor pollicis longus posterior middle 1/3 of ulna & interosseous membrane distal phalanx of thumb extension of thumb (at CMC, MCP, IP joints); assists in extension & radial deviation (abduction) of hand at wrist radial nerve (C7, C8)
extensor indicis posterior distal 1/3 of ulna & interosseous membrane base of middle & distal phalanx of index finger (via extensor expansion & extensor digitorum muscle tendon) extension of index finger (at MCP, PIP & DIP joints); extension of hand at wrist; adduction of index finger (weak) radial nerve (C7, C8)

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