. 2015 Jun 30;15(61):172–188. doi: 10.15557/JoU.2015.0015

Tab. 4.

Third compartment. Anatomy review

Third compartment
EPL – extensor pollicis longus Origin: interosseous membrane, middle third of ulna (posterior surface) Insertion: the base of the distal phalanx of the thumb Blood supply: mostly posterior interosseous artery Nerve: posterior interosseous nerve (deep branch of the radial nerve) Actions: extension of the thumb in metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints Tips and tricks: 1. Easy to identify on transverse view: single tendon on the ulnar side of the Lister tubercle of the radius which is perfect bony landmark. 2. Rupture of the EPL tendon is more commonly associated with undisplaced fractures of the distal radius rather than with displaced fractures. Reason: ischaemic rupture. Rupture usually occurs 3 weeks to 3 months after injury (in less than 3% cases of distal radius fractures).

Third compartment

Anatomy review

EPL – extensor pollicis longus
Origin: interosseous membrane, middle third of ulna (posterior surface)
Insertion: the base of the distal phalanx of the thumb
Blood supply: mostly posterior interosseous artery
Nerve: posterior interosseous nerve (deep branch of the radial nerve)
Actions: extension of the thumb in metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Tips and tricks:
1. Easy to identify on transverse view: single tendon on the ulnar side of the Lister tubercle of the radius which is perfect bony landmark.
2. Rupture of the EPL tendon is more commonly associated with undisplaced fractures of the distal radius rather than with displaced fractures. Reason: ischaemic rupture. Rupture usually occurs 3 weeks to 3 months after injury (in less than 3% cases of distal radius fractures).