Movement of the Hand

Question 1

Define ‘opposition’ of the hand

Answer 1

Combination of flexion, medial rotation and abduction whereby the little finger and thumb are brought together in the middle of the palm

Question 2

How do the joints of the thumb differ from the other digits?

Answer 2

Thumb only has one interphalangeal joint, other digits have two.

Question 3

What is flexion of the thumb?

Answer 3

moves thumb across palm of hand

Question 4

What is extension of the thumb?

Answer 4

normal position of the thumb (extended laterally)

Question 5

What is abduction of the thumb?

Answer 5

takes the thumb away from the palm at right angles with the thumb aiming towards the ceiling when the palm is flat

Question 6

What is adduction of the lumb?

Answer 6

return from abduction to resting position

Question 7

What action does closing the hand involve?

Answer 7

Flexion

Question 8

Describe what is meant by the ‘flexor digitorum’

Answer 8

Name for a group of muscles that have 4 tendons and flex the digits of the hand (not the thumb). The tendons enter the common flexor sheath deep to the flexor retinaculum where the muscles split into different synovial sheaths.

Question 9

Name the two flexor digitorum muscles

Answer 9

Flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus

Question 10

What is the role of flexor digitorum profundus?

Answer 10

flexes the metacarpophalangeal joint, the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints too

Question 11

What is the role of flexor digitorum superficialis?

Answer 11

flexes the metacarpophalangeal joint and the proximal interphalangeal joint

Question 12

What is the name of the muscle that flexes the thumb?

Answer 12

flexor pollicis longus

Question 13

Describe the role of the flexor pollicis longus muscle

Answer 13

It is the long flexor of the thumb which has 1 tendon and causes flexion of the MCP and IP joints of the thumb

Question 14

What is meant by ‘thenar’ muscles?

Answer 14

Intrinsic muscles of the hand that act on the thumb

Question 15

What is meant by ‘hypothenar’ muscles?

Answer 15

Intrinsic muscles of the hand that act on the little finger

Question 16

What is the function of sheaths?

Answer 16

To allow free movement of tendons but reduce friction to prevent damage

Question 17

What is the carpal tunnel?

Answer 17

A tunnel full of synovial fluid which holds all of the tendons together to support and protect them

Question 18

What is meant by ‘trigger finger’

Answer 18

If tendons of the flexor digitorum superficialis or profunda enlarge close to the sheath, the tendon can become trapped and cause an individual to have an inability to extend their finger

Question 19

Where are the muscles that open the hand located?

Answer 19

posterior side of the forearm

Question 20

Name the muscles that open/extend the hand

Answer 20

extensor digitorum communis (has 4 tendons), extensor indicis (to index finger) and extensor digiti minimi (to little finger)

Question 21

What is the fascia of the hand continuous with?

Answer 21

antebrachial fascia

Question 22

How does the fascia differ across the hand?

Answer 22

fascia is thin over thenar and hypothenar muscles and thick in the centre of the palm (palmar aponeurosis)

Question 23

What movements are possible at the metacarpophalangeal joint?

Answer 23

At the knuckles/MCP flexion, extension, adduction and abduction is possible

Question 24

What movements are possible at the interphalangeal joints?

Answer 24

at DIP and PIP flexion and extension is possible

Question 25

Where do the wrist flexors share a common origin?

Answer 25

medial epicondyle

Question 26

Where do the wrist extensors share a common origin?

Answer 26

lateral epicondyle

Question 27

Name the three main muscles that flex the wrist

Answer 27

Flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus and flexor carpi ulnaris

Question 28

Name the 3 main intrinsic muscles of the hand

Answer 28

Lumbricals, dorsal interossei and palmar interossei

Question 29

What is the role of the lumbrical muscles in the hand?

Answer 29

to flex the metacarpophalangeal joint and extend the interphalangeal joints of the digits beside the thumb

Question 30

What is the role of the dorsal interossei muscles in the hand?

Answer 30

abduct the 2nd-4th digits as well as assisting the lumbricals

Question 31

What is the role of the palmar interossei muscles in the hand?

Answer 31

adduct the 2nd-5th digits as well as assisting the lumbricals