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The Opponens Pollicis is a member of the Thenar Eminence Group of intrinsic muscles of the hand, composed of the:
- Abductor pollicis brevis
- Flexor pollicis brevis
- Opponens pollicis
ATTACHMENTS:
- The opponens pollicis attaches from the transverse carpal ligament and the trapezium to the metacarpal of the thumb.
- The transverse carpal ligament is also known as the flexor retinaculum.
ACTIONS:
- Opposes the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint.
- Abducts the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint.
- Flexes the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint.
- Medially rotates the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint.
NOTES:
- The opponens pollicis is the deepest of the thenar eminence muscles.
- Opposition of the thumb is an oblique-plane motion pattern that comprises three cardinal-plane joints actions: abduction, flexion, and medial rotation of the metacarpal of the thumb at the carpometacarpal (saddle) joint of the thumb.
