Adductor Pollicis
Original Editor - Shanshika Maddumage
Top Contributors - Shanshika Maddumage, Momina Khalid, Shaimaa Eldib, Kim Jackson and Vidya Acharya
Introduction
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
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
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
The two heads merge laterally, forming a tendon. The tendon inserts on the medial aspects of the proximal phalanx of the thumb. [3]
Nerve
Deep branch of the ulnar nerve (C8-T1). It ends in this muscle [3][5]
Artery
Deep palmar arterial arch supply to the adductor pollicis.
Anatomical landmark for the radial artery
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
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
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
Resources
- ↑ 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]