Adductor Pollicis Origin Insertion Action

Table of Contents

Adductor Pollicis Origin, Insertion, Action
Primary Actions of the Adductor Pollicisi

Origin: Transverse head: Palmar base of the third metacarpal.
Oblique head: Palmar bases of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, capitate bone

Insertion: Medial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb and the ulnar sesamoid

Actions: Adduction of the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint

Innervation: Deep branch of ulnar nerve (C8, T1)

Blood Supply: Deep palmar arch

If you are looking for pain and symptoms information, please visit the Adductor pollicis pain page

Primary Actions of the Adductor Pollicis

1. Radial adduction of the thumb at the trapeziometacarpal joint

Agonists:

None

Antagonists:

Abductor Pollicis Longus

2. Palmar adduction and rotation of the thumb at the trapeziometacarpal joint

Agonists:

None

Antagonists:

Abductor Pollicis Longus

3. Flexion of the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint

Agonists:

Opponens Pollicis
Flexor Pollicis Longus
Flexor Pollicis Brevis

Antagonists:

Abductor Pollicis Longus
Extensor Pollicis Brevis

References:

Clay, J. H., Allen, L., Pounds, D. (2015). Clay & Pounds' Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Netter, F. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.

Muscolino, J., (2016) Kinesiology: The Skeletal System and Muscle Function (3rd ed.). Maryland Heights, Missouri: Mosby.

Image Credits: Dreamstime

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