Tendon · Elbow

Common extensor tendon

A single shared tendon on the outer side of the elbow from which most of the wrist and finger extensor muscles arise. Because several muscles all pull on one small patch of bone at the lateral epicondyle, that patch takes a disproportionate share of load — especially during gripping, where the extensors must work hard just to hold the wrist steady. This is the tendon behind what is popularly called tennis elbow, and most people who get it have never played tennis.