New York Nail Technician License Practice Test

Which muscles help draw the thumb and fingers together?

1. Flexors

2. Extensors

3. Adductors

4. Abductors

The correct answer is: Adductors

The correct choice is adductors, as these muscles are specifically responsible for bringing body parts closer together. In the context of the hand, adductor muscles play a crucial role in drawing the thumb and fingers together, facilitating movements such as pinching or grasping. Adductor muscles function by contracting and pulling the limbs toward the midline of the body or toward each other, which is essential for activities requiring fine motor skills. For instance, when you make a grip using your fingers or bring your thumb in towards your fingers, the adductor muscles are activated. In contrast, flexors primarily assist in bending the fingers and wrist, extending the reach but not necessarily uniting them. Extensors are involved in straightening the fingers and wrist, operating in the opposite direction of what adductors achieve. Abductors work to move body parts away from the midline; for the fingers and thumb, they serve to spread them apart rather than draw them together. Understanding these muscle functions is vital for comprehending hand movements and the anatomy involved in nail technology and care.