Origin
All the lumbricals originate from the tendons of the flexor digitorum profundus.
Insertion
All the lumbricals are inserted into the extensor expansion.
Blood supply
Superficial palmar arch, deep palmar arch, common palmar digital artery, dorsal digital artery.
Nerve supply
Median nerve – 1st and 2nd lumbricals.
Deep branch of ulnar nerve – 3rd and 4th lumbricals.
Action
Lumbricals of hand with the help of the interosseous muscles help in bending your fingers towards the wrist. These muscles make it possible to grasp tiny objects or allow a person to flex or extend the fingers. They are also useful while writing.
Disease/Injury
Tearing of the lumbricals can cause excruciating pain in the palm. Young children are at a higher risk of injuring the lumbricals.
Muscle Exercise
Perform the stretch for your lumbricals by first curling the fingers of your right hand toward your palm. Then stabilize your right wrist and cup the little finger side of your right hand in your left palm. Next, use the thumb of your left hand to push the bent finger backward, one finger at a time.
Interesting facts
Fingers do not contain any muscles, but only tendons of muscles that are located in the palm or forearm.
