What muscles comprise the borders of the anatomical snuffbox?

Study for the NPTE Physical Therapist Assistant Exam. Ace the test with comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each query offers hints and detailed explanations. Get thoroughly prepared for your examination!

The anatomical snuffbox is a depression located on the radial side of the wrist and is defined by the tendons of specific muscles. The correct option details the borders formed by the extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis muscles.

The extensor pollicis longus muscle runs along the dorsal aspect of the forearm and wraps around the ulnar side of the snuffbox, providing one of its borders. Meanwhile, the extensor pollicis brevis, located on the radial side, forms the other lateral boundary. This arrangement creates a triangular shape, which is characteristic of the anatomical snuffbox.

In addition to these muscles, the abductor pollicis longus also contributes to the posterior of the snuffbox but does not specifically form its borders in the manner that the extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis do. Therefore, recognizing the roles of these muscles is paramount for understanding certain clinical assessments and interventions related to wrist and hand function.

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