A. Lower extremity of the muscle which draws the fore-arm towards the upper-arm, bends the elbow, raises the hand to the head, and is powerfully exerted in pulling, lifting, &c.
C. A muscle which gives off four long tendons, which pass under the ligaments of the wrist, one to each finger, and by which the fingers are bent upon the palm of the hand, as in grasping, &c.
F. Tendon of a muscle which draws the little finger and the thumb towards each other.
The ligaments may be seen enfolding the finger-joints, and also crossing the wrist, underneath the tendons.
The muscles are compressed into tendinous cords at their ends, by which they are united to the bones.
They are arranged in pairs, having reciprocal actions—each muscle having a companion muscle by which the part which it moves is restored to its original position, when the influence of the first muscle is withdrawn, and the stimulus given to bring back the part.
943. Why can we raise our fingers?
Because muscles which lie on the fore-arm, and have their tendons fastened at the ends of the fingers, contract, and by becoming shorter, draw the fingers upward, and towards the arm.
"Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews."—Job xi.