The spelling of the word "musculus extensor longus pollicis" is a mouthful to say and even more challenging to spell. IPA phonetic transcription can help us understand how to accurately spell this word, which is pronounced / ˈmʌskjʊləs ɛkˈstɛnsər ˈlɒŋɡəs ˈpɒlɪsɪs/. This long word refers to a specific muscle in our hand that helps extend our thumb. Therefore, it is essential to spell this muscle correctly, especially for medical professionals and students studying the human body's anatomy.
Musculus extensor longus pollicis, also known as the extensor pollicis longus muscle, is a muscle located on the posterior surface of the forearm, extending into the thumb. It derives its name from the Latin words "musculus" meaning muscle, "extensor" meaning to extend, "longus" meaning long, and "pollicis" referring to the thumb.
The musculus extensor longus pollicis is one of the main extensor muscles of the wrist and thumb. It originates from the lateral part of the middle third of the ulna bone and the interosseous membrane, which connects the ulna and radius bones. The muscle then extends obliquely over the distal radius bone and forms a long tendon that runs through a groove on the posterior surface of the radius alongside the musculus extensor pollicis brevis muscle. This tendon then continues to the thumb, where it inserts into the base of the distal phalanx, allowing for extension of the thumb.
The main function of the musculus extensor longus pollicis is to extend the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. It also assists in extending the wrist joint and plays a role in abducting the thumb. Alongside other muscles of the extensor compartment of the forearm, it is responsible for fine motor movements of the thumb, allowing for opposition and precision grip.
In summary, the musculus extensor longus pollicis is a muscle located in the forearm that extends into the thumb, aiding in thumb extension, wrist extension, thumb abduction, and fine motor movements of the thumb.
M. extensor pollicis longus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.