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Metacarpus

 
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Metacarpus
 
 
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The metacarpus is the intermediate part of the hand
Hand

The hands are the two intricate, prehensile, multi-fingered body parts normally located at the end of each arm of a human or other primate. They are the chief organs for physically manipulating the environment, using anywhere from the roughest motor skills to the finest , and since the fingertips contain some of the densest areas of nerve e...
 skeleton
Skeleton

In biology, a skeleton is a rigid framework that provides protection and structure in many types of animal, particularly those of the phylum Chordata and of the superphylum Ecdysozoa....
 that is located between the phalanges (bones of the fingers) distally and the carpus
Carpus

In tetrapods, the carpals is the sole cluster of the bones in the wrist between the radius and ulna and the metacarpus. The bones of the carpus do not belong to individual fingers , whereas those of the metacarpus do....
 which forms the connection to the forearm
Forearm

The forearm is the structure on the upper limb, between the Elbow-joint and the wrist.. This term is used in anatomy to distinguish it from the arm ....
. The metacarpus consists of metacarpal bones.








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The metacarpus is the intermediate part of the hand
Hand

The hands are the two intricate, prehensile, multi-fingered body parts normally located at the end of each arm of a human or other primate. They are the chief organs for physically manipulating the environment, using anywhere from the roughest motor skills to the finest , and since the fingertips contain some of the densest areas of nerve e...
 skeleton
Skeleton

In biology, a skeleton is a rigid framework that provides protection and structure in many types of animal, particularly those of the phylum Chordata and of the superphylum Ecdysozoa....
 that is located between the phalanges (bones of the fingers) distally and the carpus
Carpus

In tetrapods, the carpals is the sole cluster of the bones in the wrist between the radius and ulna and the metacarpus. The bones of the carpus do not belong to individual fingers , whereas those of the metacarpus do....
 which forms the connection to the forearm
Forearm

The forearm is the structure on the upper limb, between the Elbow-joint and the wrist.. This term is used in anatomy to distinguish it from the arm ....
. The metacarpus consists of metacarpal bones.

Common characteristics of the metacarpal bones

Each consists of a body and two extremities.

Body

The body (corpus; shaft) is prismoid in form, and curved, so as to be convex in the longitudinal direction behind, concave in front.

It presents three surfaces: medial, lateral, and dorsal.

  • The medial and lateral surfaces are concave, for the attachment of the interosseus muscle
    Interosseus muscle

    Interosseus muscle can refer to:* Dorsal interossei muscles* Palmar interossei muscles* Plantar interossei muscles...
    s, and separated from one another by a prominent anterior ridge.


  • The dorsal surface presents in its distal two-thirds a smooth, triangular, flattened area which is covered in by the tendons of the Extensor muscles. This surface is bounded by two lines, which commence in small tubercles situated on either side of the digital extremity, and, passing upward, converge and meet some distance above the center of the bone and form a ridge which runs along the rest of the dorsal surface to the carpal extremity. This ridge separates two sloping surfaces for the attachment of the Interossei dorsales
    Interossei dorsales

    Interossei dorsales can refer to:* Dorsal interossei muscles * Dorsal interossei muscles ...
    .


To the tubercles on the digital extremities are attached the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joints.

Base

The base or carpal extremity (basis) is of a cuboidal form, and broader behind than in front: it articulates with the carpus, and with the adjoining metacarpal bones; its dorsal and volar surfaces are rough, for the attachment of ligaments.

Head

The head or digital extremity (capitulum) presents an oblong surface markedly convex from before backward, less so transversely, and flattened from side to side; it articulates with the proximal phalanx.

It is broader, and extends farther upward, on the volar than on the dorsal aspect, and is longer in the antero-posterior than in the transverse diameter.

On either side of the head is a tubercle for the attachment of the collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint.

The dorsal surface, broad and flat, supports the tendons of the extensor muscles; the volar surface is grooved in the middle line for the passage of the Flexor tendons, and marked on either side by an articular eminence continuous with the terminal articular surface.

Articulations

Besides their phalangeal articulations, the metacarpal bones articulate
Joint

A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally....
 as follows:
  • the first with the trapezium;
  • the second with the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and third metacarpal;
  • the third with the capitate and second and fourth metacarpals;
  • the fourth with the capitate, hamate, and third and fifth metacarpals;
  • and the fifth with the hamate and fourth metacarpal.


See also

  • Bone terminology
    Bone

    Bones are rigid organ that form part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They function to move, support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red blood cell and white blood cells and store minerals....
  • Boxer's fracture
    Boxer's fracture

    A boxer's fracture, also known as the brawler's fracture, is the common name for a fracture at the neck of the fifth metacarpal bone....
  • Terms for anatomical location
  • Carpometacarpal bossing
    Carpometacarpal bossing

    Carpometacarpal bossing is a condition in the small, immovable mass of bone called the carpometacarpal joint and occurs when this joint becomes the Swelling or bossed....


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