Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis

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Top Contributors - Rishika Babburu, Sameera Withanage and Oyemi Sillo

Description

The word "thenar" is a Greek word that means "fleshy mounds." The word thenar refers to the two fleshy bumps on the palmar surface of the hand. The fleshy mound at the base of the thumb is known as the thenar eminence. The hump at the base of the fifth digit is known as the hypothenar eminence (little finger).Muscles make up the eminences on either side of the hand. The thenar eminence muscles are primarily responsible for controlling the thumb. The hypothenar eminence muscles will contract and exhibit motion through the little finger.

The hypothenar eminence is made up of four muscles. The four muscles are

1. The abductor digiti minimi muscle,
2. The flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle,
3. The opponens digiti minimi muscle, and
4. The palmaris brevis muscle.

Origin

The muscle originates from the hook of hamate and flexor retinaculum (Transverse carpal ligament) .This muscle lies laterally to the abductor digiti minimi.

File:Hand Muscles - Anterior aspect.png

Insertion

It inserts into the medial side of base of the proximal phalanx of the little finger.

Nerve

Deep branch of Ulnar nerve

Artery

Ulnar artery

Function

Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle flexes the Metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger.

Clinical relevance

The ulnar nerve can become compressed when it travels between the hook of the hamate and the pisiform bone (Guyon's canal). Cyclists, for example, can injure the ulnar nerve by applying direct pressure to the Guyon canal. Atrophy, numbness, tingling, and discomfort in the hypothenar eminence, as well as the fourth and fifth fingers, are all symptoms of ulnar nerve damage. The ulnar nerve is affected in this disorder, which is similar to "carpal tunnel syndrome."

If the ulnar artery is compromised and collateral blood flow is insufficient, the hypothenar eminence can be injured. The "hypothenar hammer syndrome" is the name given to this condition. Individuals who labour with instruments that need tight grasping and repetitive pounding are more likely to develop this illness. The firm grip and pounding of tools will induce a rebound effect on the hypothenar eminence's vascular blood supply. If the blood supply is jeopardised,.