Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle – Anatomy, Function, Nerve

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 4 min read

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Article Summary

Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle (APL) is the tendon of the first extensor compartment of the wrist. It helps in movement and stabilization of thumb. Multiple tendinous insertion of APL has been reported by many authors.[rx]The anatomical variation may remain asymptomatic or may present with painful conditions like de Quervain tenosynovitis (DQT).[rx]The treatment of such condition in severe cases involves either an injection therapy or surgical...

Key Takeaways

This article explains Structure of Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle in simple medical language.
This article explains Origin and Insertion of Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle in simple medical language.
This article explains Nerve Supply of Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle in simple medical language.
This article explains Blood Supply of Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle in simple medical language.

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Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle (APL) is the tendon of the first extensor compartment of the wrist. It helps in movement and stabilization of thumb. Multiple tendinous insertion of APL has been reported by many authors.^[rx]The anatomical variation may remain asymptomatic or may present with painful conditions like de Quervain tenosynovitis (DQT).^[rx]The treatment of such condition in severe cases involves either an injection therapy or surgical decompression of the first extensor compartment. Causes of treatment failure in DQT can be due to the variations in the anatomy tendons of the APL.

Structure of Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle

The abductor pollicis longus lies immediately below the supinator and is sometimes united with it. It arises from the lateral part of the dorsal surface of the body of the ulna below the insertion of the anconeus, from the interosseous membrane, and from the middle third of the dorsal surface of the body of the radius.^[rx]

Passing obliquely downward and lateralward, it ends in a tendon, which runs through a groove on the lateral side of the lower end of the radius, accompanied by the tendon of the extensor pollicis brevis.^[rx]

The insertion is divided into a distal, superficial part and a proximal, deep part. The superficial part is inserted with one or more tendons into the radial side of the base of the first metacarpal bone, and the deep part is variably inserted into the trapezium, the joint capsule and its ligaments, and into the belly of abductor pollicis brevis (APB) or opponens pollicis.^[rx]

Abductor pollicus longus

Function: Abduction of the thumb by acting on the carpometacarpal joint and the metacarpophalangeal joint
Origin: Dorsal aspects of proximal radius, ulna, and interosseous membrane
Insertion: Base of first metacarpal
Innervation: Posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)

Origin and Insertion of Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle

Abductor pollicis longus originates from the posterior surface of the proximal half of the radius, ulna and intervening interosseous membrane. The site of origin is located just inferior to the insertion of the anconeus muscle. From here, the muscle courses inferolaterally towards the radial side of the hand, becoming more superficial as it enters the distal third of the forearm.

Just proximal to the wrist, the muscle gives off a narrow tendon. This tendon passes through a groove carved on the lateral surface of the distal end of the radius, where it is joined by the tendon of extensor pollicis brevis muscle.

Abductor pollicis longus tendon then passes beneath the extensor retinaculum. In doing so, it traverses the first dorsal (extensor) compartment of the retinacular space. Once inside the dorsum of the hand, the tendon splits into two slips that insert onto the base of first metacarpal and trapezium bones, respectively. Some fibers may also insert into surrounding structures; opponens pollicis, abductor pollicis brevis and the fascia of the thenar eminence.

Nerve Supply of Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle

The abductor pollicis longus muscle is innervated by the posterior interosseous nerve, which is a continuation of the deep branch of the radial nerve after it passes through the supinator muscle. The posterior interosseous nerve is derived from spinal segments C7 & C8.^[rx]

Blood Supply of Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle

Abductor pollicis longus is supplied by the posterior interosseous artery.^[rx]Blood supply to the abductor pollicis longus muscle comes from the interosseous branches of the ulnar artery;

The proximal part of the muscle is supplied by the lateral branch of the posterior interosseous artery.
The distal part is vascularised by a perforating branch of the anterior interosseous artery.

Function of Abductor Pollicis Longus

The chief action of abductor pollicis longus is to abduct the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint, thereby moving the thumb anteriorly. It also assists in extending and rotating the thumb.^[rx]

Acting alone or with abductor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis longus pulls the thumb away from the palm. More specifically, it produces (mid-) extension and abduction of the thumb at the first metacarpophalangeal joint. This action is seen in activities such as bowling and shoveling.

Working together with the long and short extensors of the thumb, the muscle also helps to fully extend the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint. This action is important for loosening the handgrip, for example, when letting go of objects previously being held. Abductor pollicis longus also helps to extend the hand at the radiocarpal joint. Here it’s not a prime mover, but rather works in synergy with the wrist extensors; extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor digitorum, extensor indicis, extensor pollicis longus and brevis and extensor digiti minimi.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

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Questions to ask

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Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
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Medicine safety and first-aid guide

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Safe first steps

Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
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OTC medicine safety

For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
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Get urgent help if

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For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.