Carpometacarpal joint
Carpometacarpal Joint
The Carpometacarpal Joint (pronunciation: /ˌkɑːrpoʊmɛtəˈkɑːrpəl/), often abbreviated as the CMC joint, is a type of joint found in the human hand. It is located at the base of the hand, connecting the carpal bones to the metacarpal bones.
Etymology
The term "Carpometacarpal" is derived from the Latin words carpus meaning "wrist" and metacarpus meaning "hand". The joint is thus named for its location between the wrist and hand bones.
Anatomy
The CMC joint is a saddle joint, which allows for a wide range of motion. There are five CMC joints in each hand, one for each of the metacarpal bones. The most notable of these is the thumb CMC joint, which is responsible for the thumb's opposability.
Related Terms
- Carpal Bones: The eight small bones that make up the wrist.
- Metacarpal Bones: The five long bones in the hand.
- Saddle Joint: A type of synovial joint that allows movement in several directions.
- Opposability: The ability of the thumb to be positioned opposite the fingers, a characteristic feature of primate hands.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carpometacarpal joint
- Wikipedia's article - Carpometacarpal joint
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