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Abductor Pollicis Longus

Region

Origin & Insertion

['Origin: Posterior surface of ulna, radius, and interosseous membrane', 'Insertion: Base of 1st metacarpal']

Synergistic Muscles

['Extensor pollicis brevis', 'Opponens pollicis']

Joints

['Wrist', '1st CMC joint']

Primary Actions

['Abducts and extends thumb at CMC joint']

Nerve & Spinal Segment

Radial nerve (posterior interosseous branch)

Brachial plexus; C7–C8

Interesting

Contributes to lateral wrist contours. [Moore’s]

Reversal of Action

Move hand toward thumb with fixed digit

Common Dysfunctions

Thumb instability, De Quervain’s syndrome

How to Stretch

Thumb across palm and wrist ulnar deviation.

Trigger Points

How to Strengthen

Thumb abduction band work.

Concentric Action

Abduct thumb away from palm

Applications:

Essential in thumb repositioning post-injury; involved in De Quervain’s syndrome

Eccentric Action

Control return of thumb toward palm

Isotonic Action

Thumb lifts with resistance band or putty

Related Conditions

['De Quervain’s', 'Tendonitis']

Isometric Action

Hold thumb in abducted position

Exercise Ideas

['Thumb abduction hold', 'Rubber band opens', 'Theraputty push']

Related Blogs

Images

Videos

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