Abductor Pollicis Brevis

Written by Dr Oliver Jones

Last updated November 6, 2025 •
4 Revisions •

Abductor Pollicis Brevis - Podcast Version

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The abductor pollicis brevis is a thenar muscle located within the hand. It forms the anterolateral aspect of the thenar eminence, overlying the opponens pollicis.

  • Attachments: Originates from the tubercles of the scaphoid and trapezium and from the associated flexor retinaculum. Attaches to lateral aspect of the proximal phalanx of the thumb.
  • Actions: Abduction of the thumb.
  • Innervation: Median nerve (recurrent branch)
  • Blood supply: Superficial palmar arch
By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)
Palmar view of the labeled thenar muscles of the thumb, including the abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, and flexor pollicis brevis, along with the recurrent branch of the median nerve.

Figure 1
Palmar view of the thenar muscles.

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