Metacarpals
Metacarpals
The Metacarpals (/mɛtəˈkɑːrpəlz/; from Greek: μετά = after, καρπός = wrist) are a group of five long bones in the hand, located between the wrist (carpal bones) and the fingers (phalanges).
Anatomy
The metacarpals are numbered from one to five, starting on the thumb side of the hand. Each metacarpal consists of a base, a shaft, and a head. The base articulates with the carpal bones of the wrist. The shaft is the long, slender part of the bone. The head of the metacarpal bone is rounded and articulates with the proximal phalanx of the finger.
Function
The metacarpals form the skeletal base of the hand that makes it possible for the fingers to be mobile. They play a crucial role in the fine motor skills of the hand, such as writing, typing, and grasping objects.
Related Terms
- Carpal bones: The eight small bones that make up the wrist, which articulate with the metacarpals.
- Phalanges: The 14 bones that make up the fingers. Each finger has three phalanges, except for the thumb, which has two.
- Metacarpophalangeal joints: The joints where the metacarpals meet the phalanges.
Etymology
The term "metacarpal" is derived from the Greek words "meta," meaning after, and "karpós," meaning wrist. This is because the metacarpals are located in the hand, just after the wrist.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Metacarpals
- Wikipedia's article - Metacarpals
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