Abductor pollicis longus muscle

Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle

Abductor pollicis longus muscle (shown in red). Image from Gray's Anatomy.

The Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle is one of the extrinsic muscles of the hand. It is located in the forearm and plays a crucial role in the abduction and extension of the thumb.

Anatomy

The Abductor Pollicis Longus originates from the middle third of the anterior surface of the radius and the adjacent interosseous membrane. It inserts into the base of the first metacarpal bone, enabling the thumb to move away from the hand's palm.

Function

The primary function of the Abductor Pollicis Longus is to abduct the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint. This action allows the thumb to move perpendicular to the palm, facilitating a wide range of complex hand movements.

Clinical Significance

Damage or injury to the Abductor Pollicis Longus can result in a decreased ability to abduct the thumb, affecting grip strength and dexterity. Conditions such as De Quervain's Tenosynovitis can cause pain and swelling in the muscle.

See Also

• Anatomy of the hand
• Extrinsic extensor muscles of the hand
• Muscles of the upper limb

External Links

• Abductor Pollicis Longus at AnatomyExpert.com