MUSCLES OF TH& HAND. 433 



Being placed along the side of the metacarpal bone of the 

 fore finger, it is inserted, by a short tendon, into the radial side 

 of the first phalanx. 



It draws the fore finger from the others. 



There are three muscles constituting the ball of the ulnar side 

 of the hand, or of the little finger. 



1. The Abductor Minimi Digiti Manus, 



Is the most superficial. It arises, fleshy, from the protube- 

 rance on the internal side of the os pisiforme, and from the con- 

 tiguous part of the annular ligament. 



It is inserted, tendinous, into the ulnar side of the first pha- 

 lanx of the little finger, and into the tendinous membrane which 

 covers its back part. 



It draws the little finger from the rest. 



2. The Flexor Parvus Minimi Digiti Manus, 



Is beneath the abductor. It arises, fleshy, from the unciform 

 process of the os unciforme, and from the contiguous part of 

 the annular ligament. 



It is inserted, tendinous, into the ulnar side of the base of the 

 first phalanx of the little finger, being united with the tendon 

 of the abductor, and with the tendinous membrane expanded 

 over the back of the finger. 



It bends the little finger.* 



o 



3. The Adductor Metacarpi Minimi Digili, 



Is placed beneath the abductor and flexor, next to the meta- 

 carpal bone. It arises, fleshy, from the unciform process of the 

 os unciforme; and from the contiguous part of the annular liga- 

 ment of the wrist. 



It is inserted, tendinous and fleshy, into the fore part of the 

 metacarpal bone of the little finger, from its base to its head. 



* Varieties. Sometimes it is wanting-, in which case the preceding is more 

 developed than usual. 

 VOL, I. 37 



