3. Extensor Pollicis Longus

Origin: Posterior surface of the ulna, radius, and interosseous membrane

Insertion: Base of distal phalanx of the thumb

Action: Extends the distal phalanx of the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint and interphalangeal joint

Innervation: Posterior interosseous nerve (C7/C8)

Extensor pollicis longus.
Figure 9.6 Extensor pollicis longus, by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Various (sitting, supine, prone) but with arm pronated

Palpation: Palpate approximately the middle 1/3 of the dorsal aspect of the forearm – Isolate muscle by asking patient to extend thumb

Technique: Needle perpendicular between radius and ulna

Caution: Low

Needling extensor pollicis longus.
Figure 9.7 Needling extensor pollicis longus, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 9.3 Needling extensor pollicis longus, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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