Opponens Digiti Minimi Muscle of Hand

Origin

The opponens digiti minimi muscle of hand originates from the:

- hook of hamate bone;

- flexor retinaculum of hand.

Insertion

The fibers of the opponens digiti minimi muscle of hand travel inferolaterally and insert onto the medial aspect of fifth metacarpal bone.

Key Features & Anatomical Relations

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

- anterior (superficial) to the fifth metacarpal bone;

- posterior (deep) to the abductor digiti minimi and flexor digiti minimi muscles of hand.

Actions & Testing

The opponens digiti minimi muscle of hand opposes the little finger towards the thumb. This movement consists of:

- lateral rotation of the fifth metacarpal bone at the fifth carpometacarpal joint;

- flexion of the fifth metacarpal bone at the fifth carpometacarpal joint.

The opponens digiti minimi muscle of hand can be tested by opposing the little finger to the thumb (Standring, 2016).

References

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