Adductor Pollicis

The adductor pollicis is an intrinsic muscle of the hand. It is a triangular shape with two heads. The radial artery passes anteriorly through the space between the two heads to form the deep palmar arch.

• Attachments:
  • One head originates from the third metacarpal.
  • The other head originates from the capitate and adjacent areas of second and third metacarpal.
  • Both heads attach onto the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb.
• Actions: Adduction of the thumb.
• Innervation: Ulnar nerve.
• Blood Supply: Deep palmar arch.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)

Fig 1
The adductor pollicis. Note the two heads of the muscle.