An extensor expansion (extensor hood,[1] dorsal expansion, dorsal hood, dorsal aponeurosis[citation needed]) is the special connective attachments by which the extensor tendons insert into the phalanges.

These flattened tendons (aponeurosis) of extensor muscles span the proximal and middle phalanges.

[2] At the distal end of the metacarpal, the extensor tendon will expand to form a hood, which covers the back and sides of the head of the metacarpal and the proximal phalanx.

The expansion soon divides into three bands: The extensor expansion allows for contractile forces from the extensor compartment muscles to be transferred to the phalanges.

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