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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Muscles of the Hand Quiz: Hand and Wrist Anatomy Practice

Quick, free hand muscle anatomy quiz to check your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Andri FreiUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for hand and wrist muscles anatomy quiz on dark blue background

Use this Muscles of the Hand Quiz to check muscle names, actions, and functions, and see where you need review. For more practice, try a hand muscles quiz, build context with a forearm muscles quiz, or test bone landmarks in a carpal bones quiz as well.

Which muscle is primarily responsible for opposition of the thumb?
Flexor pollicis brevis
Adductor pollicis
Abductor pollicis brevis
Opponens pollicis
The opponens pollicis is the deep thenar muscle that allows the thumb to oppose the other fingers by rotating the first metacarpal. This movement is essential for grips such as pinching and holding objects. Although abductor and flexor pollicis muscles move the thumb, they do not produce true opposition.
Which muscle abducts the index finger away from the middle finger?
Dorsal interossei
Lumbricals
Flexor digitorum profundus
Palmar interossei
The dorsal interossei muscles abduct the fingers away from the middle finger, acting at the MCP joints. Palmar interossei perform the opposite action (adduction). Lumbricals flex the MCP joint and extend the IP joints but do not abduct.
The floor of the carpal tunnel is formed by which structure?
Carpal bones
Palmar aponeurosis
Flexor retinaculum
Transverse metacarpal ligament
The carpal bones create the concave base or floor of the carpal tunnel, providing a rigid boundary for the passage of tendons and the median nerve. The flexor retinaculum forms the roof of the tunnel, completing its structure. The palmar aponeurosis lies more superficially and is not part of the tunnel floor.
Which nerve innervates most of the thenar muscles (except adductor pollicis)?
Anterior interosseous nerve
Deep branch of the ulnar nerve
Radial nerve
Recurrent branch of the median nerve
The recurrent branch of the median nerve supplies the abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, and the superficial head of flexor pollicis brevis. The deep branch of the ulnar nerve innervates adductor pollicis instead. Radial and anterior interosseous nerves do not supply thenar muscles.
How many heads does the adductor pollicis muscle have?
One
Two
Four
Three
The adductor pollicis has two heads: an oblique head originating from the capitate and bases of the second and third metacarpals, and a transverse head from the shaft of the third metacarpal. These converge to insert on the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb. This dual-head structure provides strong adduction force.
Which muscle is the deepest component of the hypothenar eminence?
Opponens digiti minimi
Palmaris brevis
Abductor digiti minimi
Flexor digiti minimi brevis
The opponens digiti minimi is the deepest hypothenar muscle and acts to oppose and rotate the little finger toward the thumb. Abductor and flexor digiti minimi lie more superficially. Palmaris brevis is a superficial muscle over the hypothenar area but not part of the three-layer arrangement.
From which structure do the lumbrical muscles originate?
Metacarpal shafts
Tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis
Interossei muscles
Tendons of flexor digitorum profundus
Lumbricals originate from the radial sides of the flexor digitorum profundus tendons and insert into the extensor expansions on the dorsal phalanges. They flex the MCP joints while extending the IP joints. Their unique origin from tendon rather than bone is functionally significant.
Which muscle flexes the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers?
Palmar interossei
Flexor digitorum profundus
Lumbricals
Flexor digitorum superficialis
Flexor digitorum profundus is the only muscle that flexes the DIP joints because it inserts on the distal phalanges. Flexor digitorum superficialis stops at the middle phalanges and flexes only the PIP joints. Lumbricals and interossei assist in more complex motions but do not flex the DIP joints.
Which of the following is not part of the thenar eminence?
Abductor pollicis brevis
Flexor pollicis longus
Flexor pollicis brevis
Opponens pollicis
Flexor pollicis longus is a forearm muscle whose tendon travels through the carpal tunnel into the hand; it is not intrinsic to the thenar eminence. The other three muscles - opponens pollicis, abductor pollicis brevis, and flexor pollicis brevis - form the thenar bulk.
The flexor digiti minimi brevis originates from which anatomical landmarks?
Ulnar collateral ligament
Hook of hamate and flexor retinaculum
Base of fifth metacarpal
Pisiform and pisohamate ligament
Flexor digiti minimi brevis arises from the hook of the hamate and medial aspect of the flexor retinaculum, making it part of the hypothenar muscles. This origin allows it to flex the proximal phalanx of the little finger. The pisiform is the origin of abductor digiti minimi, not flexor digiti minimi brevis.
What action do the palmar interossei muscles perform?
Flex the DIP joints
Adduct the fingers toward the middle finger
Abduct the fingers away from the middle finger
Extend the MCP joints
Palmar interossei muscles adduct the fingers toward the middle finger at the MCP joints (PAD). Dorsal interossei abduct the fingers away from the middle finger (DAB). They also help flex the MCP joints and extend the IP joints, but their primary function is adduction.
Which tendon forms the ulnar (medial) border of the anatomical snuffbox?
Flexor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis brevis
Extensor pollicis longus
Abductor pollicis longus
The extensor pollicis longus tendon forms the ulnar (medial) border of the anatomical snuffbox, while the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis form its radial border. The anatomical snuffbox is a triangular depression on the lateral wrist. Flexor pollicis longus lies volarly and does not contribute to the snuffbox.
Which septum separates the thenar and midpalmar spaces in the palm?
Transverse palmar septum
Lateral palmar septum
Midpalmar septum
Intermetacarpal septum
The midpalmar septum (also called the lateral deep palmar septum) extends from the palmar aponeurosis to the third metacarpal, dividing the thenar compartment from the midpalmar space. This barrier helps limit the spread of infections. Other septa demarcate interosseous and carpal tunnel regions.
The deep branch of the ulnar nerve innervates which of these muscles in the hand?
Opponens pollicis
Abductor pollicis brevis
Lumbricals 1 and 2
Interossei muscles
The deep branch of the ulnar nerve supplies all interossei muscles and the adductor pollicis. Abductor pollicis brevis and opponens pollicis are innervated by the median nerve. Lumbricals 1 and 2 receive median nerve input, while lumbricals 3 and 4 are ulnar-innervated.
Which artery predominantly forms the superficial palmar arch?
Anterior interosseous artery
Ulnar artery
Radial artery
Palmar metacarpal artery
The ulnar artery is the main contributor to the superficial palmar arch, with a smaller contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. This arch gives off common palmar digital arteries. The radial artery primarily contributes to the deep palmar arch.
Which tendon splits into two slips to allow passage of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon?
Flexor carpi radialis
Flexor pollicis longus
Flexor digitorum superficialis
Flexor digitorum profundus
Each flexor digitorum superficialis tendon splits near the proximal phalanx, forming a chiasm (Camper's chiasm) through which the corresponding flexor digitorum profundus tendon passes to insert distally. This arrangement allows independent movement. Flexor pollicis longus and others do not split.
Which muscles assist the lumbricals in extending the interphalangeal joints?
Flexor digitorum profundus
Interossei muscles
Abductor digiti minimi
Flexor digitorum superficialis
The interossei muscles insert into the extensor expansion and help extend the IP joints while the lumbricals also flex the MCP joints. Flexor digitorum muscles flex the fingers, and abductor digiti minimi abducts the little finger.
The palmar aponeurosis is continuous with the tendon of which forearm muscle?
Palmaris longus
Flexor carpi radialis
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Pronator teres
The palmaris longus tendon fans out into the palmar aponeurosis, anchoring it to the skin and superficial fascia of the palm. Not everyone has a palmaris longus, but its tendon is the primary contributor. Flexor carpi muscles insert on metacarpals, not into the aponeurosis.
The oblique head of adductor pollicis originates from which bone(s)?
Pisiform and flexor retinaculum
Hook of hamate only
Capitate and bases of second and third metacarpals
Trapezium and first metacarpal
The oblique head of adductor pollicis arises from the capitate bone and the bases of the second and third metacarpals, providing a broad origin. The transverse head originates from the shaft of the third metacarpal. This dual-head arrangement gives strong adduction power.
Which nerve supplies sensation to the palmar aspect of the lateral three and a half digits?
Radial nerve
Median nerve
Anterior interosseous nerve
Ulnar nerve
The median nerve provides sensory innervation to the palmar surfaces and nailbeds of the thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger. The ulnar nerve covers the medial one and a half digits. The radial nerve covers the dorsal hand and thumb web space.
Which tendon is enclosed within the radial bursa?
Flexor carpi radialis
Flexor pollicis longus
Flexor digitorum superficialis
Flexor digitorum profundus
The radial bursa is the synovial sheath that surrounds the flexor pollicis longus tendon as it passes through the carpal tunnel into the thumb. The ulnar bursa surrounds the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons. Flexor carpi radialis travels in its own separate sheath.
Which muscle does not pass through the carpal tunnel?
Flexor digitorum profundus
Flexor pollicis longus
Flexor digitorum superficialis
Flexor carpi radialis
Although its tendon runs close to the carpal tunnel, flexor carpi radialis has its own fibro-osseous tunnel in the wrist and does not pass under the flexor retinaculum with the other flexor tendons. The others all share the carpal tunnel.
Which interossei muscles are unipennate in structure?
Hypothenar interossei
Thenar interossei
Palmar interossei
Dorsal interossei
Palmar interossei are unipennate muscles with fibers running from one side of a metacarpal to the extensor expansion. Dorsal interossei are bipennate, with fibers converging from two sides of adjacent metacarpals. There are no thenar or hypothenar interossei.
The opponens digiti minimi muscle inserts on which bone?
Pisiform
Hook of hamate
Base of proximal phalanx of little finger
Shaft of fifth metacarpal
Opponens digiti minimi inserts along the ulnar border of the fifth metacarpal shaft, allowing the little finger to oppose towards the thumb. The flexor and abductor brevis insert on the base of the proximal phalanx and pisiform, respectively.
Which structure forms the roof of the carpal tunnel?
Flexor retinaculum
Extensor retinaculum
Palmar aponeurosis
Transverse carpal ligament
The flexor retinaculum, also known as the transverse carpal ligament, forms the roof of the carpal tunnel, maintaining tendon alignment and creating a fibro-osseous canal. The palmar aponeurosis is superficial to this structure. The extensor retinaculum is located dorsally at the wrist.
Which tendon bifurcates at Camper's chiasm within the finger to allow passage of another tendon?
Flexor digitorum superficialis
Flexor pollicis longus
Extensor digitorum
Flexor digitorum profundus
Camper's chiasm is formed when the tendon of flexor digitorum superficialis splits into two slips near the proximal phalanx, permitting the flexor digitorum profundus tendon to pass through. This anatomical arrangement is critical for independent digit flexion.
Which intrinsic hand muscle originates from the radial side of the flexor digitorum profundus tendons and inserts into the extensor expansions?
Lumbricals
Adductor pollicis
Palmar interossei
Dorsal interossei
Lumbrical muscles originate from the radial borders of the flexor digitorum profundus tendons and insert into the extensor expansions dorsally. They flex the MCP joints while extending the IP joints, a unique combination. Interossei directly attach to metacarpals, not FDP tendons.
Which thumb muscle is innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve?
Abductor pollicis brevis
Adductor pollicis
Flexor pollicis brevis (superficial head)
Opponens pollicis
The adductor pollicis is the only thenar muscle innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. All other intrinsic thumb muscles receive their innervation from the recurrent branch of the median nerve. This distinct innervation is clinically significant in nerve injury assessments.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Hand and Wrist Muscles -

    After the muscles of the hand quiz, you'll be able to pinpoint major intrinsic and extrinsic hand and wrist muscles by name and anatomical position.

  2. Differentiate Muscle Functions -

    Distinguish between flexors, extensors, and intrinsic muscles, understanding how each contributes to gripping, extension, and fine motor control.

  3. Locate Origins and Insertions -

    Using this hand anatomy quiz, map out where key muscles originate and insert, improving your spatial awareness of the anatomy of the hand.

  4. Apply Anatomy to Movement -

    Translate your knowledge of hand and wrist muscles into practical insights about grip mechanics and functional movement patterns.

  5. Evaluate Anatomical Knowledge -

    Assess your current understanding of hand anatomy and pinpoint areas for further study to solidify your expertise.

  6. Retain Muscle Names and Actions -

    Reinforce your memory of muscle names, locations, and primary actions, boosting confidence for academic or professional discussions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Hand Muscles -

    Intrinsic muscles originate within the hand itself and govern fine motor movements like precision pinch, while extrinsic muscles start in the forearm and drive powerful grip and gross finger motion. Detailed in Gray's Anatomy and university courses, this classification is essential for your muscles of the hand quiz and clarifies the relationships between hand and wrist muscles.

  2. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis vs. Profundus -

    The FDS tendon splits to allow the FDP tendon to pass through, flexing the PIP and DIP joints respectively. A quick mnemonic is "Superficialis = Superficial layer = PIP flexion," "Profundus = Deep layer = DIP flexion," as highlighted in the Journal of Hand Surgery.

  3. Extensor Compartments and Mnemonic -

    The dorsal wrist contains six extensor compartments; memorize "Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle" (APL/EPB, EPL, ECRL/ECRB, EDC/EI, EDM, ECU) to recall tendon pathways. This handy trick from OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology clarifies which muscle extends which digit.

  4. Power vs. Precision Grips -

    Power grips use extrinsic flexors like FDS/FDP and the intrinsic adductor pollicis for strong, forceful holds, while precision grips rely on lumbricals and interossei for delicate tasks. Studies in the Journal of Biomechanics show that key pinch (lateral pinch) predominantly uses adductor pollicis and the first dorsal interosseous muscle.

  5. Innervation and Clinical Correlation -

    The median nerve supplies the thenar muscles and two lateral lumbricals (LOAF mnemonic), the ulnar nerve innervates the interossei, adductor pollicis, and medial lumbricals, and the radial nerve controls wrist and finger extensors. Remember "LOAF for median" to excel in the anatomy of the hand quiz and to predict deficits in carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar neuropathies (American Society for Surgery of the Hand).

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