MuscleHand — adductor compartment

Adductor pollicis

Latin: M. adductor pollicis

Location: Hand

View the adductor pollicis in 3D

Origin

Oblique head: capitate and second/third metacarpal bases. Transverse head: third metacarpal shaft.

Insertion

Medial side of the thumb's proximal phalanx base.

Action

Adducts the thumb for key-pinch and power grip's final squeeze.

Nerve supply

Ulnar nerve — deep branch (C8–T1).

Blood supply

Deep palmar arch.

Clinical relevance

Ulnar palsy paralyses it — in Froment's sign the patient substitutes thumb IP flexion (flexor pollicis longus, median nerve) when pinching a card.

Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.