76 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



Opponens Minimi Digiti. Origin, from the unciform 

 bone. Insertion, whole length of the fifth metacarpal 

 bone. Action, flexes the fifth metacarpal, draws it forward, 

 and makes the hollow of the palm of hand. Nerve, ulnar. 



Lumbricales. Origin, tendon of the deep flexors. 

 Insertion, in the dorsum of each finger. Action, flex the 

 first and extend the last two phalanges. Nerve, two outer 

 by the median, two inner by the ulnar. 



Dorsal Interossei. Origin, four in number by two 

 heads, from the sides of the metacarpal bones. Insertion, 

 into base of first phalanges of fingers. Action, flex the 

 first and extend the last two phalanges, abduct the 

 fingers. Nerve, ulnar. 



Palmar Interossei (three in number) . Origin, by single 

 heads, from the palmar side of the second, fourth, and 

 fifth metacarpals. Insertion, into the second, fourth, and 

 fifth phalanges. Action, flex the first, extend the last two 

 phalanges, adduct the fingers toward the middle line. 

 Nerve, ulnar. 



MUSCLES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY 



For convenience in description the muscles of the leg 

 will be divided into groups according to their various loca- 

 tions, only the most important ones with which the nurse 

 should become acquainted being described. 

 The muscles of the iliac or inguinal region are: 

 Psoas magnus. 

 Psoas parvus. 

 Iliacus. 



The psoas magnus is a long, fusiform muscle, situated 

 on the side of the lumbar region of the spine and margin of 

 the pelvis. Origin, from the transverse processes of the 

 last thoracic and of all the lumbar vertebrae. Insertion, 

 into the lesser trochanter of the femur. Action, flexes 

 the thigh on the pelvis, or vice versa; also rotates the femur 



