Abductor Pollicis Brevis (Fig.

1-40)

Median nerve, C8, T1 (see Fig. 1-29). See Appendix F.

Action

1. Palmar abduction of the thumb (perpendicular to the plane of the palm).

2. Assistance in opposition and in flexion of the proximal phalanx of the thumb.

Test

Palmar abduction of the thumb is tested against resistance applied at the metacarpophalangeal joint.
The muscle is readily visible and palpable in the thenar eminence.

Participating Muscle

Flexor pollicis brevis (superficial head).

Opponens Pollicis (see Fig. 1-40)

Median nerve, C8, T1 (see Fig. 1-29).

Action Movement of the first metacarpal across the palm, rotating it into opposition.

Test The thumb is in opposition. The examiner attempts to rotate and draw the thumb back to its usual
position.

Participating Muscles

Abductor pollicis brevis; flexor pollicis brevis.

Flexor Pollicis Brevis (Fig. 1-40)

Superficial head (median nerve, C8, T1); deep head (ulnar nerve, C8, T1) (see Fig. 1-29). See Appendix F.

Action

1. Flexion of the proximal phalanx of the thumb.

2. Assistance in opposition, ulnar adduction (entire muscle), and palmar abduction (superficial head) of
the thumb.

Test

1. The thumb is in the position of palmar adduction, with stabilization of the metacarpal.

2. Flexion of the proximal phalanx is tested against resistance applied to that phalanx, while the distal
phalanx is as relaxed as possible.

Participating Muscles Flexor pollicis longus; abductor pollicis brevis; adductor pollicis. Severe median
nerve palsy produces the “simian” hand, wherein the thumb tends to lie in the same plane as the palm,
with the volar surface facing more anteriorly than normal. Atrophy of the muscles of the thenar
eminence is usually conspicuous. Three muscles supplied, at least in part, by the ulnar nerve have
already been described: the flexor carpi ulnaris, the flexor digitorum profundus, and the flexor pollicis
brevis. The remaining muscles supplied by this nerve are described below.