MUSCLES OF THE LITTLE FIXGER. 



227 



base of the first phalanx of the thumb along with the inner tendon of the 

 short flexor. 



MUSCLES OF THE LITTLE FINGER. The fleshy mass at the inner border of 

 the hand (hypothe)iar prominence) consists of three muscles passing to the 

 little finger. 



The abductor minimi digiti arises by tendinous fibres from the pisiform 

 bone and the inserted tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris, and is inserted 

 into the base of the first phalanx of the little finger on the ulnar border. 



The flexor brevis minimi diyiti, separated at its origin from the abductor 

 muscle by a small interval through which pass the deep palmar branch of the 

 ulnar nerve and the communicating branch of the ulnar artery, arises from 

 the front of the annular ligament, and from a tip of the hooked process 

 of the unciform bone, and is inserted into the base of the first phalanx of 

 the little finger, in connection with the preceding muscle. This muscle is 

 sometimes absent, or becomes incorporated with the abductor. 



The opponens minimi digiti (adductor ossis metacarpi digiti minimi, Alb.) 

 arises from the annular ligament and the unciform process, and is inserted 

 into the ulnar border of the fifth metacarpal bone in all its length. 



Fig. 188. 



Fig. 188. THE RIGHT HAND FROM BEHIND, SHOWING THE DORSAL INTEROSSEOUS 



MUSCLES, f 



The tendons of the extensor muscles have been removed as far as the distal ends 

 of the metacarpal bones. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the interossei muscles, in order from the radial 

 side inwards ; their expanded insertion in connection with the extensor tendons, is shown 

 upon the first phalanges. 



Fig. 189. THE RIGHT HAND FROM BEFORE, SHOWING THE PALMAR INTEROSSEI 



MUSCLES, f 



1, 2, and 3, refer to the first, second, and third palmar interosseous muscles. 



The INTEROSSEOUS MUSCLES occupy the intervals between the metacarpal 

 bones. They are seven in number, all of them more or less visible from the 

 palmar aspect, and they are divided into two sets, viz., those which are best 

 seen on the dorsal aspect of the metacarpus, and those which are seen only 

 in the palm. Their disposition is most easily understood by reference to 

 their action. 



Q2 



