extensors

Muscles that extend

Extensors are muscles that extend or straighten a body part, working opposite to flexors.

The term appears most often in anatomy and physical therapy contexts: The extensors in your forearm control wrist and finger movement.

An extensor straightens a joint by increasing the angle between bones—extending your arm, opening your hand, or lifting your foot.

anatomy

tendons

Fibrous connective cords

ligamentsTough tissue joining bones
fasciaConnective tissue sheet
musculatureArrangement of muscles

forearm · wrist · elbow · triceps · quadriceps · carpi · dorsiflexion · joints · insertion · origin

rehabilitation

physical therapy

Rehabilitative movement-based medical care

strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
stretchingExtending muscles or material
tendinitisInflamed tissue joining muscle to bone

tennis elbow · overuse · strain · injury · recovery · exercises · resistance bands · massage · bracing · splinting

function

contraction

Reduction in size

straighteningMaking something not crooked
gripSecure manual hold
reachExtend to touch

grasp · dorsiflexion · lifting · activation · motor neurons · nerve signals

fitness

resistance training

Exercise against opposing force

grip strengthHand squeezing power
wrist curlsForearm strengthening movement
hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells

muscle building · isometric · weightlifting · dumbbells · pull-ups · rock climbing · deadlift

Categories

forearm anatomyradius, ulna, radial artery, flexors, pronation
leg anatomyleg, legs, thigh, calf, knee
musclesmuscle, biceps, triceps, abs, hamstrings
upper bodyarm, forearm, upper arm, elbow, wrist

Opposites

muscle action

extensorsflexors

Joint-bending muscles

biceps · hamstrings · brachialis · adductors · rotators

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G