Intrinsic Muscles of the Hand

These flashcards provide definitions and explanations of key terms related to the intrinsic muscles of the hand, including their functions and anatomical positions.

Thenar eminence

The fleshy mass at the base of the thumb, comprised of the muscles that control thumb movement.

Abductor pollicis brevis

A muscle that abducts the thumb, located in the thenar eminence.

Opponens pollicis

A muscle that allows for opposition of the thumb, enabling grasping and pinching.

Flexor pollicis brevis

A muscle that flexes the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint.

Adductor pollicis

A muscle that adducts the thumb, bringing it closer to the palm.

Dorsal interosseous

Muscles located between the metacarpals that abduct the fingers away from the midline.

Flexor retinaculum

A fibrous band on the palmar side of the wrist that holds the tendons flexing the fingers in place.

Abductor digiti minimi

A muscle that abducts the little finger away from the other fingers.

Flexor digiti minimi brevis

A muscle that flexes the little finger at the metacarpophalangeal joint.

Opponens digiti minimi

A muscle that allows for the opposition of the little finger.

Hypothenar eminence

The fleshy mass at the base of the little finger, comprised of the muscles that control little finger movement.

Palmar interossei

Muscles located on the palmar side of the hand that adduct the fingers towards the midline.

Lumbricals

Muscles that flex the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend them at the interphalangeal joints.

Flexor digitorum superficialis tendon

A tendon that flexes the middle phalanges of the fingers.