opposition

Introduction

A name given to several muscles of the fingers or toes.

Function

• action of these muscles bring the tip of thumb into contact with the little finger or any of the other digits.
• abduction (APL & APB) & flexion (FPL & FPB) & adduction (adductor pollicis & 1st dorsal interosseous) at the metacarpophalangeal joint

Notes

• although comparable muscles in the foot are called 'opponens', no opposition occurs in the foot.

Additional terms

• compartments of palm
• opponens pollicis