Flexor Digiti Minimi of Hand

Origin

The flexor digiti minimi muscle of hand originates from the:

- hook of hamate bone;

- palmar aspect of flexor retinaculum of hand.

Insertion

The fibers of the flexor digiti minimi muscle of hand travel inferomedially and insert onto the medial aspect of the base of the proximal phalanx of the little finger.

Key Features & Anatomical Relations

The flexor digiti minimi muscle of hand is found in the hypothenar compartment of the hand. It is a short, fusiform type of skeletal muscle. It is located:

- anterior (superficial) to the opponens digiti minimi muscle of hand;

- posterior (deep) to the palmaris brevis muscle;

- lateral to the abductor digiti minimi muscle of hand.

Actions & Testing

The flexor digiti minimi muscle of hand flexes the proximal phalanx of little finger at its metacarpophalangeal joint. It can be tested by flexing the proximal phalanx at the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger against resistance, while its interphalangeal joints are held in the extended position (Standring, 2016).

References

Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.