Abductor Pollicis Longus

Region: Forearm & Hand Muscles · All forearm & hand muscles

Abductor Pollicis Longus at a glance

OriginBack surfaces of the ulna and radius and the interosseous membrane
InsertionBase of the first metacarpal (thumb)
ActionsMoves the thumb away from the palm in its plane (abduction at the wrist joint of the thumb); Helps straighten the wrist toward the thumb side
Nerve supplyPosterior interosseous nerve (C7–C8)

◆ Good to know

One of the three 'outcropping' thumb muscles forming the front border of the anatomical snuffbox.

Please note: This page is an anatomy education summary for students and curious readers, not medical advice. Attachment points are given in their classic short form; individual anatomy varies, and detailed dissection-level descriptions belong in an anatomy atlas.