Opposition
Oppositio
Definition
Opposition of the thumb is defined as the positioning of the thumb pad (or tip of the thumb) against the distal pad (or tip) of any of the fingers. The opposite of opposition is reposition, where the thumb moves away from the tip of the other finger.
Opposition and reposition movements occur at the first carpometacarpal joint, i.e. the joint between trapezium and first metacarpal bone. The opposition movement is helpful in creating a pincer grip of the hand for holding objects.
References
Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2023 IMAIOS.
Tonkin M. (2020). Thumb opposition: its definition and my approach to its measurement. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 45(3):315-317. doi:10.1177/1753193419889504
Jones, O. (2020). Anatomical terms of movement in ‘TeachMeAnatomy’. Available at URL: https://teachmeanatomy.info/the-basics/anatomical-terminology/terms-of-movement/ [accessed on Feb 12th, 2023]
