Dorsal Carpal Ligaments (Tendons)

tendines extensorii carpi

The six extensor compartments at the dorsal wrist contain: (1) APL and EPB, (2) ECRL and ECRB, (3) EPL around Lister tubercle, (4) EDC and EIP, (5) EDM, (6) ECU. Each compartment is a fibro-osseous tunnel maintaining tendon position during wrist extension. Compartment-specific tenosynovitis, stenosis, and tendon ruptures produce compartment-localised wrist pain patterns.

Anatomical Data

Boundaries & Contents

Location	Back of the wrist, beneath the extensor retinaculum, over the distal radius and ulna
Boundaries	Floor: dorsal surfaces of the distal radius and ulna and the distal radioulnar joint capsule Roof: extensor retinaculum Walls: fibrous septa passing from the retinaculum to the bone, creating six separate tunnels
Contents	1st: abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis 2nd: extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis 3rd: extensor pollicis longus 4th: extensor digitorum and extensor indicis 5th: extensor digiti minimi 6th: extensor carpi ulnaris

Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Keep the extensor tendons of the wrist, fingers and thumb in position as the wrist moves, each in its own synovial sheath.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Extensor compartment numbering is the foundation for wrist surgery anatomical orientation. The compartments are numbered radial to ulnar (1 through 6). De Quervain (compartment 1), Intersection syndrome (1 and 2 junction), Lister tubercle EPL rupture (compartment 3), and ECU instability (compartment 6) are the compartment-specific pathologies.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Extensor Compartment Tenosynovitis

Compartment-specific tendon sheath inflammation producing wrist pain localised by compartment anatomy, managed with compartment-targeted injection and release.

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