Muscle Name: flexor pollicis longus
AKA:
Abbreviation: FPL
Spinal Nerve Roots:
C7
C8
T1
Brachial Plexus Trunks:
middle trunk
lower trunk
Brachial Plexus Cords:
medial cord
lateral cord
Named Nerves:
anterior interosseous nerve
median nerve
Proximal Attachment:
Distal Attachment:
Action: Flexion of the thumb
Needle Insertion: From the wrist, go 1/3 of the length of the forearm proximally. Insert close to the radius.
Activation for EMG:
Pitfalls: The radial nerve and artery are near this muscle. Take care to avoid them.
Notes: The muscle is fairly superficial, and can be approached with the needle at a shallow angle to the skin.