Adductor Pollicis: Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve Supply

The adductor pollicis is a muscle in the hand that has two heads: transverse and oblique & functions to adduct the thumb.

Attachment of the Adductor Pollicis

Oblique head
Origin: The oblique head arises by several slips from the capitate bone, the bases of the second and third metacarpals, the intercarpal ligaments, and the sheath of the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis.
Insertion: Medial side of the base of proximal phalanx of the thumb
Transverse head
Arising from a broad base from the lower two-thirds of the palmar surface of the third metacarpal bone; the fibers converge, to be inserted into the medial part of the flexor pollicis brevis.

Nerve Supply of the Adductor Pollicis
The adductor pollicis muscle is innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve (C8–T1).

Function of the Adductor Pollicis
Draws 1st metacarpal laterally to oppose thumb toward center of palm and rotates it medially

Upper Extremity Muscle Atlas

• Abductor Pollicis Longus
• Abductor Digiti Minimi
• Abductor Pollicis Brevis
• Adductor Pollicis
• Anconeus
• Biceps Brachii
• Brachioradialis
• Brachialis
• Coracobrachialis
• Deltoid
• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
• Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis
• Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
• Extensor Digitorum
• Extensor Digiti Minimi
• Extensor Indicis
• Extensor Pollicis Longus
• Extensor Pollicis Brevis
• Flexor Carpi Radialis
• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
• Flexor Digitorum Profundus
• Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
• Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis
• Flexor Pollicis Brevis
• Flexor Pollicis Longus
• Infraspinatus
• Interosseous Muscles, Dorsal
• Interosseous Muscles, Palmar
• Levator Scapulae
• Latissimus Dorsi
• Opponens Digiti Minimi
• Opponens Pollicis
• Pectoralis Major
• Pectoralis Minor
• Palmaris Longus
• Pronator Quadratus
• Pronator Teres
• Rhomboid Major and Minor
• Subscapularis
• Supinator
• Serratus Anterior
• Supraspinatus
• Trapezius
• Triceps Brachii
• Teres Major
• Teres Minor