Author: Dr Peter de Souza
Last modified: 14 December 2021

The flexor digiti minimi brevis is one of the intrinsic muscles of the hand within the hypothenar group.

The hypothenar muscles are innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve, the thenar group are innervated by the recurrent branch of the median nerve.

The intrinsic muscles of the hand are involved with precision movements and consist of the following muscles:

The intrinsic muscles of the hand are innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve, except the thenar muscles and the lateral two lumbricals. A mnemonic for remembering this is Meat LOAF, Meat = Median nerve innervates the Lateral lumbricals, Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis and Flexor pollicis brevis

Origin

  • Hook of the hamate and adjacent flexor retinaculum

Insertion

    • Medial base of proximal phalanx of little finger (same as abductor digiti minimi)`

Action

  • Flexion of the little finger (at the little finger metacarpophalangeal joint)

Innervation

  • Deep Branch of Ulnar Nerve

Blood Supply

  • Deep palmar arch (from ulnar artery)