
The interossei muscles are intrinsic hand muscles situated between the metacarpals. They are divided into two groups: palmar and dorsal interossei, each consisting of four muscles. The palmar interossei facilitate finger adduction, while the dorsal interossei enable abduction. Both muscle groups contribute to metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint flexion and interphalangeal joint extension. The dorsal interossei muscles are responsible for abducting the second, third, and fourth digits at the MCP joints and assisting with flexion at the MCP joints and extension at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. The interossei muscles, along with the lumbricals, also contribute to plantarflexion of the toe joints, causing a curling of the toes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Interossei muscles | The interossei group consists of three volar and four dorsal muscles. |
| Function | The dorsal interossei muscles are responsible for abducting the fingers. The volar interossei adduct the fingers to the hand axis. |
| Extension | The interossei muscles cause extension at the interphalangeal joints. |
| Innervation | All interossei receive innervation from the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. |
| Injury | Injury to the ulnar nerve can lead to weakness or atrophy of the interossei. |
| Clinical manifestations | Ulnar claw hand deformity, with hyperextension at the MCP joints and flexion at the PIP and DIP joints, is a result of weakness in the interossei and lumbricals. |
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What You'll Learn
- The dorsal interossei muscles are responsible for finger abduction
- Interossei muscles contribute to flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joints
- Interossei muscles assist with extension at the interphalangeal joints
- Interossei muscles are divided into palmar and dorsal interossei groups
- Injury to the ulnar nerve can cause interossei muscle atrophy

The dorsal interossei muscles are responsible for finger abduction
The dorsal interossei muscles are a group of four short, bipennate muscles that are responsible for finger abduction. They are intrinsic hand muscles situated between the metacarpals. The four muscles are numbered 1-4 from the lateral to the medial side.
The first dorsal interosseous muscle originates from the adjacent surfaces of the first and second metacarpals and inserts into the lateral base of the second phalanx and extensor hood of the second digit. The second dorsal interosseous muscle arises from the medial aspect of the second metacarpal and the lateral aspect of the third metacarpal, inserting into the lateral base of the third phalanx and corresponding extensor hood. The third dorsal interosseous muscle originates from the medial portion of the third metacarpal and the lateral portion of the fourth metacarpal, with insertion at the medial base of the third phalanx and extensor hood. The fourth dorsal interosseous muscle arises from the lateral aspect of the fourth metacarpal and the medial side of the fifth metacarpal, inserting into the lateral base of the fourth phalanx and extensor hood of the fourth digit.
The dorsal interossei muscles are responsible for abducting the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th digits at the MCP joints. They also assist with flexion at the MCP joints and extension at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. The palmar (or volar) interossei, on the other hand, facilitate finger adduction.
The dorsal interossei muscles receive innervation from the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. Injury to this nerve can lead to weakness or atrophy of the interossei and impair finger abduction. This can result in the ulnar claw hand deformity, where there is weakness in the extension of the MCP joints and flexion of the PIP and DIP joints.
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Interossei muscles contribute to flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joints
The interossei muscles are a group of muscles in the hand that contribute to flexion at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The MCP joints are located at the base of the fingers and allow for a wide range of motion, including flexion and extension. The interossei muscles are specifically responsible for helping to flex or bend the fingers at these joints.
There are two types of interossei muscles in the hand: the dorsal interossei and the palmar interossei. The dorsal interossei are located on the back of the hand, while the palmar interossei are located on the anterior side of the metacarpals. The dorsal interossei consist of four short muscles that attach to the adjacent sides of the metacarpals, while the palmar interossei consist of four or sometimes three muscles that arise from the metacarpal bones and insert into the bases of the proximal phalanges.
The dorsal interossei muscles function to abduct the index, middle, and ring fingers, moving them away from the midline of the hand. They also assist in flexion at the MCP joints and extension at the interphalangeal (IP) joints. The palmar interossei, on the other hand, are strong adductors of the fingers, bringing them closer to the midline. They also contribute to flexion and extension of the 2nd, 4th, and 5th fingers.
The interossei muscles work in conjunction with other muscles and ligaments in the hand to produce a wide range of movements. For example, when the MCP joints are flexed, the position of the interossei moves away from the flexion-extension axes of the MCP joints, and the taut collateral ligaments increase the force of flexion, resulting in a strong grip. Additionally, the interossei muscles play a role in stabilizing the MCP joints, preventing hyperextension.
Weakness or atrophy of the interossei muscles can lead to conditions such as the ulnar claw hand deformity, where the fingers are extended at the MCP joints and flexed at the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, resembling a claw. This condition is caused by the weakness of the interossei muscles and other muscles in the hand. Overall, the interossei muscles play a crucial role in the flexion of the fingers at the MCP joints and contribute to the complex movements and stability of the hand.
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Interossei muscles assist with extension at the interphalangeal joints
The interossei muscles are intrinsic hand muscles situated between the metacarpals. They are categorised into two groups: palmar interossei and dorsal interossei, each comprising four muscles. The palmar interossei facilitate finger adduction, while the dorsal interossei enable abduction.
The dorsal interossei muscles consist of four short muscles that attach to the adjacent sides of metacarpals 1-4. Their function is to abduct the digits 2-4, as well as to assist in flexion of these fingers at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and in extension at the interphalangeal (IP) joints.
The dorsal interossei contribute to flexion in the MCP joints and extension in the proximal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. Compared to other muscles of the hand acting on these joints, the contribution of dorsal interossei is rather negligible, but still important in terms of stabilisation of these joints.
The palmar interossei contribute to flexion at the MCP joints and extension at the PIP and DIP joints. The interossei group consists of three volar and four dorsal muscles, which are all innervated by the ulnar nerve. They originate at the metacarpals and form lateral bands with the lumbricals. The dorsal interossei abduct the fingers, whereas the volar interossei adduct the fingers to the hand axis.
In summary, the interossei muscles assist with extension at the interphalangeal joints, with the dorsal interossei playing a role in the MCP, PIP, and DIP joints, and the palmar interossei contributing to extension at the PIP and DIP joints.
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Interossei muscles are divided into palmar and dorsal interossei groups
The interossei muscles are divided into two groups: the palmar interossei and the dorsal interossei. These muscles are located in the hand and foot, and they play a role in the movement of the fingers and toes.
The palmar interossei muscles are short, unipennate intrinsic muscles of the hand. They are smaller than the dorsal interossei and are situated on the palmar surface of the hand between the metacarpal bones. The palmar interossei consist of four muscles that attach to the first, second, fourth, and fifth fingers, with the third finger lacking a palmar interosseous muscle. These muscles contribute to flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joint and extension at the interphalangeal joints of the second, fourth, and fifth fingers. The first palmar interosseous arises from the ulnar side of the first metacarpal bone and inserts into the proximal phalanx of the thumb. The second palmar interosseous arises from the second metacarpal bone and inserts into the extensor expansion of the index finger. The third palmar interosseous arises from the radial side of the fourth metacarpal bone and inserts into the proximal phalanx of the ring finger. The fourth palmar interosseous arises from the radial side of the fifth metacarpal bone and inserts into the proximal phalanx of the little finger.
The dorsal interossei muscles are short, bipennate intrinsic muscles of the hand. They are found on the dorsal aspect of the hand, occupying the space between the metacarpal bones. The dorsal interossei also consist of four muscles that attach to the adjacent sides of metacarpals one to four. Their function is to abduct the second to fourth digits and assist in flexion at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and extension at the interphalangeal (IP) joints. The first dorsal interosseous can be felt between the thumb and index finger, while the remaining three can be palpated between the metacarpal bones and the tendon of the extensor digitorum muscle.
In addition to their roles in finger movement, the interossei muscles also contribute to the extension and flexion of the toes. The dorsal interossei of the foot are responsible for identical movements as their hand counterparts, such as extension in the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. The interossei muscles work in conjunction with other muscle groups, such as the lumbricals, to achieve these movements.
Lesions in the interossei muscles can lead to conditions such as the ulnar claw hand deformity, where the fingers are extended in the MCP joints and flexed in the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, resulting in a claw-like appearance.
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Injury to the ulnar nerve can cause interossei muscle atrophy
The interossei muscles do cause extension of the interphalangeal joints. The dorsal interossei muscles consist of four short muscles that attach to the adjacent sides of metacarpals 1-4. Their function is to abduct the digits 2-4, as well as to assist in flexion of these fingers at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and in extension at the interphalangeal (IP) joints.
The dorsal interossei are innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve, derived from nerve roots C8 and T1. The ulnar nerve innervates muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm and the hand. It pierces the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris and travels deep into the muscle, alongside the ulna.
Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is usually at the cubital tunnel, also known as Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. This syndrome can present with different grades of severity, ranging from mild symptoms such as paresthesias of the fourth and fifth fingers to more severe cases of muscle atrophy requiring cubital tunnel decompression and ulnar nerve transposition. Ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist is less common and is known as Guyon's Canal Syndrome or ulnar tunnel syndrome.
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Frequently asked questions
Interossei muscles are intrinsic hand muscles situated between the metacarpals. They are divided into two groups: palmar and dorsal interossei, each consisting of four muscles.
The palmar interossei facilitate finger adduction, while the dorsal interossei enable abduction. Both muscle groups contribute to metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint flexion and interphalangeal joint extension.
Injury to the interossei muscles can cause weakness or atrophy, typically resulting from nerve root impingement, brachial plexus compression, or nerve entrapment at the elbow, forearm, or wrist. Ulnar nerve injuries, in particular, may impair finger abduction and adduction, resulting in the ulnar claw hand deformity.











































