Opponens Pollicis

Written by Dr Oliver Jones

Last updated November 6, 2025
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Opponens Pollicis - Podcast Version

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The opponens pollicis is a thenar muscle located within the hand. It is the largest of the thenar muscles, and is located underneath the flexor pollcis brevis and abductor pollicis brevis.

  • Attachments: Originates from the tubercle of the trapezium and the associated flexor retinaculum. Inserts onto the lateral margin of the first metacarpal.
  • Actions: Opposition of the thumb
  • Innervation: Median nerve (recurrent branch)
  • Blood supply: Superficial palmar arch
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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