The hand features a number of ligamentary attachments within it which help facilitate manual flexibility and dexterity. ~Tendons~ may be flexor (they contract, causing the hand or fingers to tighten or curl up) or adductor (they contract, causing the hand or fingers to loosen, or straighten out). Therefore, palmar ~tendons~ (those on the palm-side of the hand) generally are flexors, while dorsal ~tendons~ (on the back of the hand) usually are adductors. Exceptions to this includes the |collateral ligaments| which help in side-to-side movement of the digits. The palmar surface of the hand is shown here.
