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Flexor pollicis brevis muscle

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Fama Clamosa (talk | contribs) at 17:42, 23 November 2012 (inline refs for Gray's; 2 ELs→refs; -1 redundant EL). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Flexor pollicis brevis muscle
The muscles of the left hand. Palmar surface. (Flexor pollicis brevis visible at center right, near thumb.)
Details
Origintrapezium, flexor retinaculum
Insertionthumb, proximal phalanx
ArterySuperficial palmar arch
NerveRecurrent branch of the median nerve, deep branch of ulnar nerve (medial head)
ActionsFlexes the thumb at the first metacarpophalangeal joint
AntagonistExtensor pollicis longus and brevis
Identifiers
Latinmusculus flexor pollicis brevis
TA98A04.6.02.055
TA22522
FMA37378
Anatomical terms of muscle

The flexor pollicis brevis is a muscle in the hand that flexes the thumb. It is one of three thenar muscles. It has both a superficial part and a deep part.

Origin and insertion

The muscle's superficial part arises from the distal edge of the flexor retinaculum and the tubercle of the trapezium, a bone in the wrist. It passes along the radial side of the tendon of the flexor pollicis longus, and, becoming tendinous, is inserted into the radial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb; in its tendon of insertion there is a sesamoid bone.[1]

The deeper (and medial) portion of the muscle is very small, and arises from the ulnar side of the first metacarpal bone between the oblique part of the adductor pollicis and the lateral head of the first dorsal interosseous muscle, and is inserted into the ulnar side of the base of the first phalanx with the adductor pollicis.[1]

The deep (medial) part of the flexor brevis pollicis is sometimes described as the first palmar interosseous muscle.[1] When this muscle is included, the total number of palmar interossei is four. Otherwise, there are only three palmar interossei.

Innervation

The flexor pollicis brevis is mostly innervated by the recurrent branch of the median nerve (C8, T1). The deep part is often innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.[2][3]

Blood Supply

The flexor pollicis brevis receives its blood supply from the superficial palmar branches of radial artery.[3]

Action

The flexor pollicis brevis flexes the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint.[2]

Additional images

References

  1. ^ a b c Gray's Anatomy 1918, see infobox
  2. ^ a b Template:MuscleLoyola
  3. ^ a b "Brachium to Hand Musculature". PTCentral. Retrieved November 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 461 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)