What is the function of the adductor pollicis?

The adductor pollicis is a crucial muscle in the hand responsible for adducting the thumb. This means its primary function is to draw the thumb toward the other fingers, facilitating movements such as grasping and pinching. Understanding this muscle’s role is essential for appreciating how the hand functions in various tasks involving manipulating objects.

The other functions listed do not pertain to the adductor pollicis. For instance, extending the thumb involves different muscles, while flexing the thumb is primarily a function of the flexor pollicis muscle. Abduction, which is the movement of the thumb away from the fingers, is handled by the abductor pollicis longus and abductor pollicis brevis, not the adductor pollicis. Therefore, recognizing the specific role of each muscle in hand mechanics helps clarify why the adductor pollicis is specifically involved in the action of bringing the thumb towards the fingers.