What type of muscle assists in movement by straightening out fingers and the hand?

The correct answer is extensor because extensor muscles are specifically responsible for straightening out joints, including those in the fingers and hand. When the extensor muscles contract, they pull on the tendons connected to the bones in the fingers, allowing for the extension or straightening of those fingers. This action is crucial for various tasks like grasping objects or making a fist.

In contrast, flexor muscles perform the opposite function by bending the joints, which brings fingers closer to the palm. Adductor and abductor muscles are primarily involved in the side-to-side movement of the fingers rather than the extension or flexion of the digits. Thus, for movement that involves straightening the fingers and hand, extensor muscles play the key role.