Metacarpal
Metacarpal
Metacarpal (pronunciation: /ˌmɛtəˈkɑːpəl/) refers to any of the five bones in the human hand that extend from the carpus (wrist) to the proximal phalanges (the bones of the fingers and thumb).
Etymology
The term "metacarpal" is derived from the Greek words "meta," meaning after, and "carpus," meaning wrist. Together, they refer to the bones that are "after the wrist."
Anatomy
The metacarpal bones are numbered from one to five, starting with the bone on the thumb side of the hand. Each metacarpal bone consists of a base, a shaft, and a head. The base is the part closest to the wrist, the shaft is the long, slender part of the bone, and the head is at the end of the bone, closest to the fingers.
Related Terms
- Carpus: The eight small bones that make up the wrist.
- Phalanges: The 14 bones that make up the fingers and thumb.
- Carpal Tunnel: A narrow passageway in the wrist, through which the median nerve passes.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A condition caused by pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, resulting in pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and wrist.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Metacarpal
- Wikipedia's article - Metacarpal
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