The tennis elbow muscle
Extensor carpi radialis brevis · musculus extensor carpi radialis brevis
A forearm muscle that holds your wrist steady, and the usual culprit in tennis elbow.
What it does
This muscle runs from the outer bony bump of the elbow to the base of the middle-finger metacarpal. It lifts the wrist and, more importantly, holds it steady and tilted back whenever you grip something firmly.
Surprising fact
Tennis elbow is most often a wear problem in the tendon of this one muscle, and most people who get it have never played tennis.
Why it matters
Repetitive gripping with the wrist cocked, using a mouse, a screwdriver or a racket, overloads its tendon. Changing grip, resting and gradual strengthening usually settle it.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.