Variant insertion of extensor carpi radialis longus in a South Indian cadaver

The extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscle originates from the distal third of the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus, front of lateral intermuscular septum and from the lateral epicondyle of humerus. The tendon of ECRL along with extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) passes through the second compartment of extensor retinaculum and inserts into the base of second metacarpal bone [1]. Variation in muscles of antebrachial region has been widely reported by many authors. Two classical variations reported so far are the extensor carpi radialis accessorius (ECRA) and extensor carpi radialis intermedius (ECRI). ECRA was the name given by Wood to an accessory head of carpal extensor inserting into the base of the first metacarpal bone [2,3]. ECRI also named by Wood, refers to a tendon that arises between the radial extensors of wrist inserting into the second (or) third metacarpal bone [2].