Final answer:
The dorsal interossei muscles in the hand abduct fingers 2-5 and assist in flexing and extending the fingers at different joints.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dorsal interossei muscles in the hand perform the function of abducting and flexing the three middle fingers (finger 2 to 4) at the metacarpophalangeal joints (MP joints) and extending them at the interphalangeal joints (PIP and DIP joints). Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is that the dorsal interossei muscles abduct fingers 2-5. These muscles play a critical role in the intricate motor control required for movements such as typing and writing.
The dorsal interossei muscles in the hand abduct and flex the three middle fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend them at the interphalangeal joints. These muscles are part of the intrinsic muscles of the hand, which originate and insert within the hand and provide fine motor control of the fingers. The palmar interossei muscles, on the other hand, adduct and flex each finger at the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend each finger at the interphalangeal joints.