The opponens pollicis is a thenar muscle located within the hand, and is the largest of the thenar muscles. It is found underneath the flexor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis brevis.
The opponens pollicis originates from the tubercle of the trapezium and the associated flexor retinaculum, and inserts onto the lateral margin of the first metacarpal.
The opponens pollicis is innervated primarily by the median nerve and its recurrent branch.
The superficial palmar arch supplies the opponens pollicis with its blood supply.
The opponens pollicis is responsible for opposition and reposition of the thumb. Opposition of the thumb is the ability to move the thumb away from the other four fingers and towards the palm of the hand. This allows for the thumb to be used for gripping, pinching, pointing, and other activities requiring precise thumb control. Additionally, repositioning of the thumb enables the thumb to move in multiple planes in order to facilitate a wide range of more complex movements.
The opponens pollicis is a fan-shaped muscle located in the palm of the hand. It originates at the tubercle of the trapezium, and inserts onto the lateral side of the first metacarpal. It lies deep to the thenar muscles, which are responsible for movement of the thumb and other parts of the hand.
Pathology of the opponens pollicis can cause a number of different issues. Weakness or paralysis of the opponens pollicis can lead to difficulty with fine motor control of the thumb, as well as abnormal posture of the thumb. This impairment of the thumb can lead to problems with grip strength, as well as difficulty in pinching and manipulating small objects.
Injury to the opponens pollicis can also cause pain in the hand, as the muscle contracts and stretches when the thumb moves. Pain may be felt when the thumb is moved or during activities which require thumb control. Additionally, injury to the opponens pollicis can cause sensory deficits, as the recurrent branch of the median nerve supplies sensory information to the thumb.
Treatment of pathology of the opponens pollicis may involve physical therapy, in order to strengthen the muscle and restore function. In cases of injury, immobilization of the affected area may be employed in order to reduce pain and swelling, as well as to promote healing. Surgery may be necessary in cases of severe trauma or injury which disrupts the normal functioning of the opponens pollicis.
In cases of pain, anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and improve mobility of the thumb. Activity modification may also be necessary, in order to reduce strain on the muscle and to promote healing.
The opponens pollicis is a thenar muscle which is responsible for opposition and reposition of the thumb. It originates at the tubercle of the trapezium and inserts onto the first metacarpal, and is innervated primarily by the median nerve and its recurrent branch. Pathology of the opponens pollicis can cause a range of different symptoms, including weakness, pain, and sensory deficits. Treatment may involve physical therapy, immobilization, surgical intervention, and medication, depending on the cause and severity of the condition.
