Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study Login Register
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Opponens pollicis muscle

Recommended video: Thenar muscles [10:36]
Origins, insertions and innervation of the thenar muscles.
Opponens pollicis muscle (Musculus opponens pollicis)

Opponens pollicis is a short intrinsic muscle of the hand. It belongs to a group called thenar muscles, along with abductor pollicis and flexor pollicis brevis. Thenar muscles are located on the radial (lateral) aspect of the hand where they form an elevation named the thenar eminence.

Opponens pollicis extends from the trapezium bone and flexor retinaculum to the first metacarpal bone. The main function of this muscle is the opposition of the thumb in the first carpometacarpal joint.

In this article, we will discuss the anatomy and function of the opponens pollicis muscle.

Key facts about the opponens pollicis muscle
Origin Tubercle of trapezium bone, flexor retinaculum
Insertion Radial border of metacarpal bone 1
Action Carpometacarpal joint 1: Thumb opposition
Innervation Recurrent branch of median nerve(C8, T1)
Blood supply Superficial palmar branch of radial artery 
Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Function
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Opponens pollicis muscle originates from the flexor retinaculum and tubercle of the trapezium bone. From its origin point, the muscle belly courses dorsally and laterally to insert onto the anterolateral surface of the first metacarpal shaft.

Relations

Opponens pollicis is a relatively short and slender muscle situated on the radial aspect of the hand. It lies deep to the abductor pollicis brevis and lateral to the flexor pollicis brevis. The superficial head of flexor pollicis brevis is frequently blended with opponens pollicis.

Innervation

Opponens pollicis muscle is innervated by the recurrent (thenar) branch of median nerve (root value C8 and T1) and occasionally by the deep terminal branch of ulnar nerve.

Blood supply

Opponens pollicis muscle is mainly vascularized by the superficial palmar branch that arises from the radial artery. The additional blood supply comes from several other arteries;

Function

Thumb opposition (Oppositio pollicis)

As its name suggests, the main function of opponens pollicis is to produce an opposition of the thumb. Opposition refers to the rather complex movement of the thumb which is a combination of flexion, adduction and medial rotation at the first carpometacarpal joint.

The purpose of this movement is the ability to bring the tip of the thumb in contact with any other fingertip of the same hand. This allows efficient and precise movements of the hand, for example grasping round objects or fine gripping of a pencil.

Opponens pollicis muscle: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!