Corpus: Abductor digiti minimi muscle
Synonym: abductor digiti minimi manus muscle
Definition
The abductor digiti minimi (manus) muscle is a short muscle that belongs to the hypothenar muscles of the hand and forms the ulnar border of the hand.
Anatomy
Origin
The muscle originates from the pisiform bone, the ligamentous structures of the flexor retinaculum, and the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle.
Insertion
The short tendon of the muscle attaches to the ulnar side of the proximal phalanx of digitus manus V. Some fibers extend laterally into the dorsal aponeurosis of this finger.
Innervation
The abductor digiti minimi muscle is innervated by the deep branch (ramus profundus) of the ulnar nerve from the brachial plexus (segments: C8 and Th1).
Function
The abductor digiti minimi muscle plays a pivotal role in the abduction (spreading) of the digitus manus V from the palm.