Origin: Distal border of the flexor retinaculum and the trapezium
Insertion: Lateral aspect of the first metacarpal
Actions: Opposition of the thumb toward the digits, Flexion of the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint
Innervation: Median nerve (C8, T1)
Blood Supply: Superficial palmar branches of the radial artery
Primary Actions of the Opponens Pollicis
1. Opposition of the thumb toward the digits
Agonists:
- Abductor Pollicis Brevis
- Adductor Pollicis
- Flexor Pollicis Brevis
Antagonists:
- Extensor Pollicis Longus
- Extensor Pollicis Brevis
- Abductor Pollicis Longus
2. Flexion of the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint
Agonists:
- Adductor Pollicis
- Flexor Pollicis Longus
- Flexor Pollicis Brevis
Antagonists:
- Abductor Pollicis Longus
- Extensor Pollicis Brevis
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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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