
The human hand is made up of five digits: four fingers and one thumb. Each finger has three individual bones, and the thumb has two. The fingers have three joints each, which can only be bent and stretched in one direction. The thumb is the only digit that can twist. There are over 30 muscles in the hand, working together in a complex way. The muscles that move the finger joints are in the palm and forearm. Tendons deliver motion from the forearm muscles to the fingers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do fingers contain muscles? | No, other than arrector pili |
| Where are the muscles that move the finger joints? | In the palm and forearm |
| What are the long tendons that deliver motion from the forearm muscles? | May be observed to move under the skin at the wrist and on the back of the hand |
| What do tendons generally connect? | Muscle to bone |
| What do ligaments generally connect? | Bone to bone |
| How many muscles are in the palm of the hand? | 17 |
| How many muscles are in the forearm? | 18 |
| How many muscles are in the hand? | Over 30 |
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What You'll Learn
- Fingers do not contain muscles, other than arrector pili
- Muscles that move the finger joints are in the palm and forearm
- Tendons connect muscle to bone, and ligaments connect bone to bone
- The fingers have two long flexors, located on the underside of the forearm
- The intrinsic muscle groups are the thenar (thumb) and hypothenar (little finger) muscles

Fingers do not contain muscles, other than arrector pili
The muscles of the hand can be subdivided into two groups: the extrinsic and intrinsic muscle groups. The extrinsic muscle groups are the long flexors and extensors. They are called extrinsic because the muscle belly is located on the forearm. The intrinsic group are the smaller muscles located within the hand itself. The intrinsic muscle groups are the thenar (thumb) and hypothenar (little finger) muscles; the interossei muscles (four dorsally and three volarly) originating between the metacarpal bones; and the lumbrical muscles arising from the deep flexor (and which are special because they have no bony origin) to insert on the dorsal extensor hood mechanism.
The freely movable part of our hand is made up of five digits (four fingers and one thumb). Each finger has three individual bones, and the thumb only has two. The fingers have three joints each, which can only be bent and stretched in one direction. The thumb is the only digit that can twist, thanks to the saddle-shaped carpometacarpal joint. There are over 30 muscles in the hand, working together in a highly complex way.
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Muscles that move the finger joints are in the palm and forearm
Fingers do not contain muscles, other than arrector pili. The muscles that move the finger joints are in the palm and forearm. The long tendons that deliver motion from the forearm muscles may be observed to move under the skin at the wrist and on the back of the hand. Tendons generally connect muscle to bone, and ligaments generally connect bone to bone. The tendons that control the bones in the fingers are attached to 17 muscles in the palm of the hand and 18 in the forearm.
The muscles of the hand can be subdivided into two groups: the extrinsic and intrinsic muscle groups. The extrinsic muscle groups are the long flexors and extensors. They are called extrinsic because the muscle belly is located on the forearm. The intrinsic group are the smaller muscles located within the hand itself. The intrinsic muscle groups are the thenar (thumb) and hypothenar (little finger) muscles; the interossei muscles (four dorsally and three volarly) originating between the metacarpal bones; and the lumbrical muscles arising from the deep flexor (and which are special because they have no bony origin) to insert on the dorsal extensor hood mechanism. The fingers have two long flexors, located on the underside of the forearm. They insert by tendons to the phalanges of the fingers. The deep flexor attaches to the distal phalanx, and the superficial flexor attaches to the middle phalanx.
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Tendons connect muscle to bone, and ligaments connect bone to bone
Fingers do not contain muscles, except for arrector pili. The muscles that move the finger joints are in the palm and forearm. The long tendons that deliver motion from the forearm muscles can be observed to move under the skin at the wrist and on the back of the hand. Tendons are made of fibrous connective tissue and attach muscles to bones. They are found throughout the body, from the head and neck down to the feet. Tendons allow us to move our limbs and prevent muscle injury by absorbing some of the impact when we run or jump.
Ligaments are also made of fibrous connective tissue and attach bone to bone, usually serving to hold structures together and keep them stable. They appear as crisscross bands that help stabilise joints. For example, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) attaches the thighbone to the shinbone, stabilising the knee joint.
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The fingers have two long flexors, located on the underside of the forearm
Fingers do not contain muscles, except for arrector pili. The muscles that move the finger joints are located in the palm and forearm. The long tendons that deliver motion from the forearm muscles can be seen moving under the skin at the wrist and on the back of the hand. These tendons are attached to 17 muscles in the palm and 18 in the forearm.
The muscles of the hand can be subdivided into two groups: the extrinsic and intrinsic muscle groups. The extrinsic muscle groups are the long flexors and extensors. They are called extrinsic because the muscle belly is located on the forearm. The intrinsic group are the smaller muscles located within the hand itself. The intrinsic muscle groups are the thenar (thumb) and hypothenar (little finger) muscles; the interossei muscles (four dorsally and three volarly) originating between the metacarpal bones; and the lumbrical muscles arising from the deep flexor (and which are special because they have no bony origin) to insert on the dorsal extensor hood mechanism.
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The intrinsic muscle groups are the thenar (thumb) and hypothenar (little finger) muscles
The fingers do not contain muscles, other than arrector pili. The muscles that move the finger joints are in the palm and forearm. The long tendons that deliver motion from the forearm muscles may be observed to move under the skin at the wrist and on the back of the hand.
The thenar muscles are responsible for the movement of the thumb, which is the only digit that can twist. The thumb only has two bones, while the other four fingers have three each. The thenar muscles work together with the extrinsic muscles to allow for a wide range of thumb movements, including opposition, which is the ability to touch the tips of the fingers.
The hypothenar muscles are responsible for the movement of the little finger. These muscles work together with the extrinsic muscles to allow for the movement of the little finger, which can only be bent and stretched in one direction. The hypothenar muscles also provide support and stability to the hand and wrist.
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Frequently asked questions
No, fingers do not contain muscles (other than arrector pili). The muscles that move the finger joints are in the palm and forearm.
Fingers are moved by the muscles in the palm and forearm. Tendons deliver motion from the forearm muscles to the fingers.
There are over 30 muscles in the hand, working together in a complex way.
The muscles of the hand are subdivided into two groups: the extrinsic and intrinsic muscle groups. The extrinsic muscle groups are the long flexors and extensors. The intrinsic group are the smaller muscles located within the hand itself.











































