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# Opponens digiti minimi

The opponens digiti minimi is the deepest muscle of the little-finger mound; it brings the little finger forward to cup the palm.

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## What it is

A deep hypothenar muscle along the 5th metacarpal.

## What it does

Cups the palm by bringing the little finger forward.

## Key points

- Deepest hypothenar muscle; the deep branch of the ulnar nerve and the deep branch of the ulnar artery pass through it into the deep palm
- The only hypothenar muscle inserting on the metacarpal, a mirror image of [opponens pollicis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/opponens-pollicis/)
- Together with opponens pollicis it cups the palm for grasping round objects; the 5th CMC joint is mobile enough to allow it

## Key facts

**Origin**
Hook of the [hamate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hamate/), flexor retinaculum

**Insertion**
Medial border of the 5th metacarpal

**Action**
Brings the 5th metacarpal forward and rotates it (cups the palm)

**Nerve**
Deep branch of the ulnar nerve (C8–T1)

**Blood supply**
Deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery

## Relations

**Superficial**
Abductor digiti minimi and flexor digiti minimi

**Deep**
The shaft of the [5th metacarpal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/5th-metacarpal/)

**Contents**
The deep branch of the [ulnar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnar-nerve/) with the deep branch of the [ulnar artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnar-artery/), which pierce it on their way to the [deep palmar arch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-palmar-arch/)

## How to find it

Deep; its action shows when the little finger is brought across to meet the thumb, deepening the hollow of the palm and firming the hypothenar eminence along the 5th metacarpal.

## Examination

- Little finger to thumb opposition: a palm that stays flat, with hypothenar wasting, supports a lesion of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve

## On imaging

Lies deep in the hypothenar eminence, arising from the hook of the hamate; a landmark more than a target. Hook of hamate fractures, typical of golf, bat or racquet grips, are easily missed on routine films: a [carpal tunnel](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/carpal-tunnel/) view or CT shows them. MRI shows hypothenar denervation oedema with an ulnar nerve lesion in or above Guyon's canal.

## Clinical notes

- In ulnar nerve palsy the hypothenar eminence flattens and the palm loses its cupping, weakening grip on cylindrical objects
- Because the deep branch runs through it, deep hypothenar injuries can damage the nerve supply to most intrinsic muscles

## Anatomical variants

- May be fused with flexor digiti minimi

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which hypothenar muscle inserts on the metacarpal?

The opponens digiti minimi, on the medial border of the 5th metacarpal, a mirror image of opponens pollicis.

## What passes through the opponens digiti minimi?

The deep branch of the ulnar nerve and the deep branch of the ulnar artery, on their way to the deep palm.

## What happens to the palm in ulnar nerve palsy because of opponens digiti minimi loss?

The hypothenar eminence flattens and the palm loses its cupping, weakening grip on cylindrical objects.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
musculus opponens digiti minimi manus TA2 2531

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Músculo oponente del dedo meñique de la mano

**English (TA2)**
Opponens digiti minimi

## Related

- [Ulnar nerve in the hand](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-and-superficial-branches-of-the-ulnar-nerve/)
- [Hamate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hamate/)
- [5th metacarpal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/5th-metacarpal/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Hypothenar Eminence](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546622/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/opponens-digiti-minimi/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/opponens-digiti-minimi/