The word "Lumbricales" refers to a group of muscles found in the hand that control finger movements. Its spelling is derived from the Latin word "lumbricus," meaning earthworm, and the suffix "-ales" indicating a group or collection. The IPA phonetic transcription highlights the pronunciation of the letter "b" as the voiced bilabial plosive /b/, followed by the consonant cluster "-rc" which is pronounced as the voiced alveolar fricative, /r/ and /k/. The word ends with the sound /eɪlz/ represented by the symbol "-ales."
Lumbricales refer to a group of four small muscles located in the hand, specifically in the palm area. These muscles are classified as extrinsic hand muscles, which means they originate outside of the hand but have insertion points within the hand.
The lumbricales are situated between the tendons of the flexor digitorum profundus and the metacarpal bones. Each muscle has a unique origin point on a specific flexor tendon and inserts into the extensor expansion of the corresponding finger.
Their primary function is to flex the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints while extending the interphalangeal (IP) joints of the fingers. In other words, they assist in bending or flexing the base of the fingers while simultaneously extending or straightening the middle and end segments of the fingers. This coordinated movement allows for fine motor control and precise finger positioning during activities such as gripping, typing, and playing musical instruments.
The lumbricales play a crucial role in hand function, as they contribute to the complex and intricate movements of the fingers. Dysfunction or weakness in these muscles can result in difficulties with finger flexion and extension, leading to challenges in performing daily tasks and activities that require manual dexterity.
In anat., four muscles of the fingers and toes resembling worms.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Lumbricales" is derived from the Latin term "lumbricus", which means "earthworm". The suffix "-ales" is a plural ending used to denote a group or class. Therefore, "Lumbricales" literally translates to "earthworm-like" or "resembling earthworms". This name was given to a group of small muscles located in the human hand, as they were thought to resemble the shape or movement of an earthworm.