Home Body Atlas Ligaments Extensor Retinaculum Fifth Compartment
Ligament Hand & Wrist

Extensor Retinaculum Fifth Compartment

vagina tendinum musculi extensoris digiti minimi

The fifth extensor compartment contains only the extensor digiti minimi tendon, running over the distal ulna. The EDM has two slips in this compartment in approximately 70% of individuals.

Region: Hand & Wrist
Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Constrains the EDM tendon over the distal ulna, allows independent little finger extension, and is the compartment released in EDM tenosynovitis or ECU-EDM combined release.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Fifth compartment release is performed for EDM tenosynovitis and as part of rheumatoid dorsal wrist synovectomy. The two EDM slips within the compartment are identified to ensure complete decompression. ECU tendon subluxation (sixth compartment) is assessed simultaneously as the fifth and sixth compartments share the distal ulna.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

EDM Tenosynovitis in the Fifth Compartment

Inflammatory tenosynovitis of the extensor digiti minimi in its compartment producing ulnar dorsal wrist pain, released surgically in refractory cases.

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