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Abductor digiti minimi

Contents

Anatomy

 

Abductor digiti mini manus - anterior view
Abductor digiti minimi manus - medial view

General information

  • This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page
  • The muscle is a part of the hypothenar muscles
  • Is a flat slender muscle

Position

  • Superficial

Origin

  • Os pisiforme
  • Tendon of flexor karpi ulnaris

Insertion

  • Basis of proximal phalanx, ulnar side
  • Dorsal digital expansion

Main function

  • Little finger CMC
    •  Abduction
  • Little finger MCP
    • Abduction

Secondary function

  • Little finger PIP
    • Extension
  • Little finger DIP
    • Extension

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental:
    • C8-Th1
  • Peripheral:
    • Ulnar nerve

Arterial supply

  • Ulnar artery

Palpation

  • Patient position: Sitting or supine
  • Put your fingers on the medial aspect of the hypothenar
  • Ask the patient to abduct his little finger while you feel for the contraction

Strength test

  • Patient position: Sitting or supine
  • Ask the patient to hold the little finger in an abducted position
  • Give resistance towards the ulnarside of the little finger in the direction of adduction, so that the patient has to maintain resistance in abduction