The Compleat Surgeon / or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method.

by M. Le Clerc

The four Lumbricales or Vermiculares are in the Palm of the Hand, to draw the Fingers to the Thumb: They proceed from the Tendons of the Profundus, and the Annular Ligament, extend themselves along the sides of the Fingers and are inserted in their second Articulation, to cause the drawing toward the Thumb.

The three Interossei Interni, and the three Externi, are situated between the four Bones of the Metacarpium, as well on the inside of the Hand as without: They have their beginning in the Intervals or Spaces between the Bones of the Metacarpium, are united with the Lumbrical, and fixt in the last Articulation of the Bones of the Fingers, to produce the Motion of drawing back or removing from the Thumb.

The Thumb is mov'd by five particular Muscles; one whereof serves to bend it, two to extend it, one to remove it from the Fingers, and another to draw it to them.

The Flexor of the Thumb takes its rise from the upper and inner part of the Radius, passes under the Annular Ligament, as also under the Thenar, and adheres to the first and second Bones of the same Thumb to bend it.

The two Extensors of the Thumb are the Longior and the Brevior: The former proceeding from the upper and outward part of the Cubitus, ascends above the Radius, and is ty'd with a forked Tendon to the second Bone of the Thumb. The Brevior hath the same Origin with the Longior, keeps the same Track, passes under the Annular Ligament, and is terminated in the third Thumb-Bone.

The Thenar removes the Thumb from the Fingers, and forms that part which is call'd the Mount of Venus: It hath its Source in the first Bone of the Carpus or Wrist, and the Annular Ligament, and is inserted in its second Bone.

The Antithenar draws the Thumb to the other Fingers, having its Origine in the Bone of the Metacarpus, that stayeth the middle Finger, and its Insertion is in the first Bone of the Thumb.

The Muscle which serves to extend the Fore-Finger, is call'd Indicator: It proceeds from the middle and outer part of the Cubitus, and is fixt by a double Tendon in the second Articulation of the Fore-Finger, as also in the Tendon of the great Extensor of the Fingers.

That which draws the Fore-Finger to the Thumb is term'd Adductor: It commenceth in the fore-part of the first Thumb-Bone, and is terminated in the Bones of the Fore-Finger.