Abductor pollicis longus muscle
Last revised by Dr Daniel J Bell ◉ on 16 Jan 2021
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Trajcevska, E., Bell, D. Abductor pollicis longus muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 04 Oct 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-24510
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rID:
24510
Article created:
21 Aug 2013 by Dr Elena Trajcevska
Revisions:
18 times by 8 users - see full revision history
System:
Section:
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Synonyms:
- Abductor pollicis longus muscles
- Abductor pollicis longus (APL)
- APL muscle
The abductor pollicis longus (APL) muscle is found in the deep layer of the posterior compartment of the forearm. As it descends, it becomes superficial and passes under the extensor retinaculum and through the 1st extensor compartment of the wrist before attaching distally. It is one of the extrinsic muscles of the hand.
Summary
- origin: posterior surfaces of ulna, radius and interosseous membrane
- insertion: via tendon, usually dividing into two slips, one attaching to the base of 1st metacarpal, the other attaching to the trapezium
- arterial supply: proximally by the posterior interosseous artery and distally by a branch from the anterior interosseous artery
- innervation: posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8), a continuation of the deep branch of the radial nerve (C7, C8)
- action: abducts and extends the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint
Variant anatomy
- presence of multiple slips instead of a single APL tendon 4
- a vertical septum splitting the 1st extensor compartment into two distinct subcompartments (i.e. APL lies in its own tunnel) 4
References
- 1. Gray's Anatomy. Churchill Livingstone. (2011) ISBN:0443066841. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Last's anatomy. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:0443100330. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Moore KL, Dalley AF. Anatomy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (1999) ISBN:0683061410. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Pascal Rousset, Valérie Vuillemin-Bodaghi, Jean-Denis Laredo, Caroline Parlier-Cuau. Anatomic Variations in the First Extensor Compartment of the Wrist: Accuracy of US1. (2010) Radiology. 257 (2): 427-33. doi:10.1148/radiol.10092265 - Pubmed
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
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skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- hand
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
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accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os epitriquetrum
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
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- os paratrapezium
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pectoral girdle
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shoulder joint
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- joint capsule
- bursae
- ligaments
- movements
- scapulothoracic joint
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glenohumeral joint
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- arm abduction
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- arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
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shoulder joint
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elbow joint
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wrist joint
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ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
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- radioscaphoid ligament
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- volar radioulnar ligament
- radioscaphocapitate ligament
- long radiolunate ligament
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hand joints
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metacarpophalangeal joints
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interphalangeal joints
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pectoral girdle
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anterior compartment of the forearm
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posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
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accessory muscles
- elbow
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- volar wrist radial-side
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arteries
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arteries
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brachial plexus (mnemonic)
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- branches from the cords
- lateral cord
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- terminal branches
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