Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis of Hand (Musculus flexor digiti minimi brevis)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The short flexor of the hypothenar eminence, lying radial to the abductor digiti minimi on the ulnar side of the palm. It acts solely on the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger and sits directly over the ulnar nerve and artery as they exit Guyon canal — the surgical landmark relationship of the hypothenar region.
Origin & insertion
From the hook of the hamate and the flexor retinaculum, to the ulnar side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the little finger.
Action
Flexes the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger.
Innervation
Deep branch of the ulnar nerve (C8–T1).
Clinical notes
Because it shares the ulnar nerve supply with the rest of the hypothenar group, isolated weakness of flexion at the little finger's base is unusual and points to a lesion inside Guyon canal rather than a proximal nerve problem.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis of Hand?
The short flexor of the hypothenar eminence, lying radial to the abductor digiti minimi on the ulnar side of the palm. It acts solely on the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger and sits directly over the ulnar nerve and artery as they exit Guyon canal — the surgical landmark relationship of the hypothenar region.
Why is the Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis of Hand clinically important?
Because it shares the ulnar nerve supply with the rest of the hypothenar group, isolated weakness of flexion at the little finger's base is unusual and points to a lesion inside Guyon canal rather than a proximal nerve problem.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details