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Abductor pollicis brevis
Other Terms:
Musculus abductor pollicis brevis,
Muscle court abducteur du pouce
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus abductor pollicis brevis
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Hand muscle – thenar group
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the short muscle that leads the thumb away (from the palm). Abductor is a term that describes the function or action of the muscle. It literally means to draw or to lead away from and is derived from the Latin ab meaning “away from” and ducere meaning “to lead or to draw.”The Latin pollex meaning “thumb” arises from the Latin polleo meaning “to be strong,” as the thumb was the strongest of the fingers.Brevis is the Latin term meaning “short.” This is being used as a comparative reference to a longer muscle that does the same thing.
Origin
Flexor retinaculum and the tubercles of the scaphoid and trapezium bones.
Insertion
Base of proximal phalanx of thumb on radial side and the extensor expansion of the thumb.
Action
Abduction of the thumb.
Nerve supply
Median nerve (C8 and T1)
Blood supply
The superficial palmar branch of the radial artery and a small muscular branch of the radial artery supply the muscle with blood.
Latin
Musculus abductor pollicis brevis
French
Muscle court abducteur du pouce