Adductor Pollicis
Original Editor - Shanshika Maddumage
Top Contributors - Shanshika Maddumage, Momina Khalid, Shaimaa Eldib, Kim Jackson and Vidya Acharya
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The hand is a complex structure with several layers of muscles, tendons, and fascial compartments. The thumb is one of the most important parts of the hand because of its orientation, which is perpendicular to the other digits. Thus contributing to a variety of movements. [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The adductor pollicis is an intrinsic muscle of the hand, lying deep in the thenar muscles. It has two heads: the unique head and the transverse head. [3]
Origin[edit | edit source]
The adductor pollicis muscle is triangular-shaped with a two-headed structure.
- Oblique head originates from bases of 2nd-3rd metacarpals
- Transverse head originates from the shaft of 3rd metacarpal [3]
Insertion[edit | edit source]
The two heads merge laterally, forming a tendon. The tendon inserts on the medial aspects of the proximal phalanx of the thumb. [3]
Nerve[edit | edit source]
Deep branch of the ulnar nerve (C8-T1). It ends in this muscle [3][5]
Artery[edit | edit source]
Deep palmar arterial arch supply to the adductor pollicis.
Anatomical landmark for the radial artery[edit | edit source]
Main trunk of the radial artery passes into the palm between the oblique and transverse heads of the adductor pollicis to form the deep palmar arch[3] [5]
Function[edit | edit source]
Adduction of the thumb. This ability is critical for hand dexterity. Pinching and gripping are the two principal movements done by the adductor pollicis. [6]
Clinical relevance[edit | edit source]
Froment's sign - It is used to test the strength of the adductor pollicus muscle of the thumb, which is innervated by the ulnar nerve and is weakened in ulnar nerve palsy.
Assessment[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia Contributors. Adductor pollicis muscle [Internet]. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation; 2024 [cited 2024 Feb 14]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adductor_pollicis_muscle
- ↑ Acosta JR, Graefe SB, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Adductor Pollicis [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2023 [cited 2024 Feb 7]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526059/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Chaurasia BD. BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy. CBS Publishers & Distributors PVt Ltd.; 2010. p112-13.
- ↑ Adductor Pollicis Origin Insertion Action - The Wellness Digest [Internet]. The Wellness Digest. 2022 [cited 2024 Feb 7]. Available from: https://thewellnessdigest.com/adductor-pollicis-anatomy-origin-insertion-action-innervation/
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sinnatamby CS. Last's Anatomy, International Edition: Regional and Applied. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2011 Apr 19.
- ↑ Acosta JR, Graefe SB, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Adductor Pollicis [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2023 [cited 2024 Feb 7]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526059/#:~:text=Assessment%20of%20the%20movements%20of,avoid%20complications%20of%20ventilatory%20support.
- ↑ Froment's Sign (CR) CRTechnologies. Available fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=379QmnW2pFc
- ↑ Adductor pollicis MMT. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaIuVDE0Nw0&pbjreload=101&ab_channel=BallStateAthleticTraining[Last accessed 19/10/2020]
