Collateral bands of extensor expansion of foot

On the dorsal surface of each toe, the extensor tendon becomes incorporated into a fascial expansion termed the “Extensor expansion of foot” (sometimes referred as extensor hood or extensor hood apparatus).

The extensor expansion of foot is a fibrous sheath that encloses several tendons that pass across the metatarsophalangeal joints. It may be absent at the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Distally, the extensor expansion of foot divides into tree bands:

• One central band that attaches to the base of the middle phalanx

• Two collateral bands that attach to the distal phalanx