Hand intrinsic muscles innervated by the median nerve (mnemonic)

All the intrinsic muscles of the hand are innervated by the ulnar nerve, except four muscles which are supplied by the median nerve and are easily recalled with the mnemonic:

  • FOAL or LOAF

Mnemonic

  • F: flexor pollicis brevis
  • O: opponens pollicis
  • A: abductor pollicis brevis
  • L: lateral two lumbricals