extensor

American  

[ik-sten-ser, -sawr] / ɪkˈstɛn sər, -sɔr /

noun

Anatomy.

1. a muscle that serves to extend or straighten a part of the body.

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extensor British  

/ ɪkˈstɛnsə, -sɔː /

noun

1. any muscle that stretches or extends an arm, leg, or other bodily part Compare flexor

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extensor Scientific  

/ ĭk-stĕn′sər /

1. A muscle that extends or straightens a limb or joint.

2. Compare flexor

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Etymology

Origin of extensor

1700–10; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin extend ( ere ) to extend + -tor -tor, with -dt- > -s-

Compare meaning

How does extensor compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• flexor vs. extensor

Example Sentences

Hernández repaired a torn extensor tender in his left elbow after the season, which will cause him to miss next month’s World Baseball Classic and the start of the 2026 season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

Spieth has been dealing with an injury to his extensor carpi ulnaris, a major tendon in the wrist.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024

The same approach makes it possible to control different finger movements that are selected with the simultaneous activation of both flexor and extensor muscle groups.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2023

Twins: RHP Jorge Alcala was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm extensor muscle strain, retroactive to Monday.

From Washington Times • May 17, 2023

And again: "The contraction often involved all of the extensor muscles of the spine, and the trunk formed an arch opening backward and resting upon the occiput and sacrum."

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various