MUSCLES ON THE PALM OF THE HAND. 371 



Muscles on the Palm of the Hand,. 



To obtain a full view of the muscles situated on the palm of the hand, it will 

 be necessary to remove the annular or transverse ligament, which is stretched 

 across from the projecting points of the pisiform and unciform bones on the 

 inside of the wrist to the scaphoid and trapezium on the outside j for the pur- 

 pose of retaining the tendons of the flexor muscles in their proper situation. 

 And also, to remove from the palm of the hand the aponeurosis palmaris, 

 which has been described with the palmaris longus muscle. 



1. Palmaris Brevis. 



Arises from the ligamentum carpi annulare, and the apon- 

 eurosis that is expanded on the palm of the hand. 



Inserted, by small bundles of fleshy fibres, into the skin and 

 fat that cover the adductor minimi digiti, and into the os pisi- 

 forme. 



Use. To assist in contracting the palm of the hand. 



2. Abductor Pollicis Manus, 



Arises, by a broad tendinous and fleshy beginning, from the 

 ligamentum carpi annulare, and from the os trapezium. 



Inserted^ tendinous, into the outer side of the root of the 

 first phalanx of the thumb. 



Use. To draw the thumb from the fingers. 



3. Flexor Ossis Metacarpi Pollicis, or Opponens Pollicis, 



Arises, fleshy, from the os trapezium and ligamentum carpi 

 annulare, lying under the adductor pollicis. 



Inserted, tendinous and fleshy, into the under and anterior 

 part of the metacarpal bone of the thumb. 



Use. To bring the thumb inwards, opposite to the other 

 finger. 



4. Flexor Brevis Pollicis Manus, 



Is divided into two portions by the tendon of the flexor 

 longus pollicis, and is placed beneath the adductor, and at the 

 side of the opponens. It is divided into two heads. The first 

 arises fleshy from the volar sides of the trapezium, trapezoides, 

 and from the contiguous part of the internal surface of the 

 annular ligament. The second head arises from the magnum, 



