Journal: PaleoAnthropology
Year: 2011

Researchers have repeatedly noted a flange of bone along the distodorsoradial margin of the Neandertal first metacarpal diaphysis, marking the insertion of the opponens pollicis muscle.It has been argued that this flange represents both greater muscle volume and greater leverage for the opponens pollicis.Here we assess the potential for increased mechanical effectiveness of the opponens pollicis in rotation and abduction in Neandertals as compared with Middle Paleolithic, Mid Upper Paleolithic,