MUSCLES ON THE PALM OF THE HAND. 373 



Inserted, by long slender tendons, into the outer sides of the 

 broad tendons of the interossei muscles, about the middle of the 

 first joint. 



Use. To increase the flexion of the fingers while ; the long 

 flexors are in full action. 



7. Adductor Metacarpi Minimi Digiti Manus, 



Arises, fleshy from the thin edge of the os unciforme, and 

 from that part of the ligament of the wrist next to it. 



Inserted, tendinous, into the inner side and anterior part of the 

 metacarpal bone of this finger. 



Use. To bend and bring the metacarpal bone of this finger 

 towards the wrist. 



8. Flexor Parvus Minimi Digiti, 



Arises, fleshy, from the outer side of the os unciforme, and 

 from the ligament of the wrist which joins with that bone. 



Inserted, by a roundish tendon, into the inner and anterior 

 part of the upper end of the first bone of this finger. 



Use. To bend the little finger, and assist the adductor. 



9. Abductor Minimi Digiti Manus. 



Arises, fleshy, from the os pisiforme, and from that part of the 

 ligamentum carpi annulare next it. 



Inserted, tendinous, into the inner side of the upper end of 

 the first bone of the little finger. 



Use. To draw this finger from the rest. 



The spaces between the metacarpal bones are occupied by 

 muscles, called, from their situation, interosseous. The four 

 following are to be seen on the palm of the hand. 



Anterior Interosseous Muscles. 



1. Prior Indicis. 



Arises, tendinous and fleshy, from the upper and outer part of 

 the metacarpal bone that sustains the fore-finger. 



Inserted into the outside of that part of the tendinous 

 32 



