AXIS AND PLANE OF THUMB

Axis and plane of Thumb

Submitted by : Raveena kumari (msptm02201011)

Submitted to : Dr . Kanwal Assistant professor (PT)

Movement of Thumb :
The thumb is positioned at right angles to the orientation of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers . As
a result, movements of the thumb occur at right angles to those of the other digits. For example, flexion
brings the thumb across the palm, whereas abduction moves it away from the fingers at right angles to
the palm.

Importantly, with the thumb positioned at right angles to the palm. Only a slight rotation of the thumb
brings it into a position directly facing the other fingers this opposition of the thumb is essential for
normal hand function.

 EXTENSION
 ADDUCTION
 ABDUCTION
 OPPOSITION
Axis and plane :
Flexion and extension occur around a lateral axis and sagittal plane

Abduction and adduction occur around an antero-posterior axis and

frontal plane

 Opposition of the thumb is an oblique plane motion of the

metacarpal of the thumb at the saddle (1st carpometacarpal joint).

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 AXIS AND PLANE OF THUMB

it is composed of flexion, medial rotation, and abduction of the

metacarpal. The result is to move the thumb to oppose a pad of
another finger.
Note: Due to the rotation of the thumb that occurred with
evolution, the thumb flexes in the frontal plane (not the sagittal
plane) and abducts in the sagittal plane (not the frontal plane).
Also, the saddle joint is a biaxial joint, meaning that only two
motions/actions can be isolated there

The thumb's MP and CMC joints abduct and adduct in a plane perpendicular to
the palm. Some therapists also refer to abduction as "palmar abduction."

The thumb's MP and CMC joints flex and extend in a plane parallel to the palm.
Some therapists refer to extension as "radial abduction," because the thumb
moves toward the hand's radial side.

The CMC joint is biaxial However, its loose capsule permits rotation, and the
metacarpal rotates automatically when it moves in the other two planes.
Specifically:

 combined CMC flexion and abduction produces CMC opposition

 combined CMC extension and adduction produces CMC reposition.

However, because the thumb attaches to the hand at a different angle than do the
other digits, the thumb's AP and lateral axes are oriented differently than in the
other digits.

The thumb or first ray, which comprises the metacarpal, proximal phalanx, and
distal phalanx, attaches to the trapezium and the rest of the hand at the first
carpo-metacarpal (CMC) joint. This attachment is at nearly a right angle to
those of the second, third, fourth, and fifth digits.

To appreciate this, examine the orientation of the fingernails on your relaxed

hand as you point your fingertips toward yourself. The thumbnail is oriented at a
right angle to the nails of the other fingers.

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 AXIS AND PLANE OF THUMB

The familiar lateral axes, around which the fingers flex and extend, are turned
90 degrees at the thumb's CMC and MP joints. These joints flex and extend in a
plane that is parallel to the palm

The familiar AP axes, around which the MP joints abduct and adduct, are also
turned 90 degrees at the thumb's CMC and MP joints. These joints abduct and
adduct in a plane that is perpendicular to the palm.