How Do You Identify The Metacarpal Bones?
The metacarpal bones are the bones of the hand located between the fingers and the wrist. The name “metacarpal” comes from the Greek words “meta,” meaning after, and “karpus,” meaning wrist. There are five metacarpal bones, one for each digit, and are numbered beginning with the thumb. Together the five metacarpals make up the metacarpus. The following steps will show you how to identify the metacarpal bones. Learn some of the characteristics common to all metacarpals. They are flattened on the top and bottom with a concave curve on the lateral and medial surfaces to allow for the attachment of the interossei muscles. Observe the base extremity that articulates with the wrist and adjacent metacarpals. It is generally cube-shaped and broader on the volar surface. The dorsal and volar surfaces are rough to allow for the attachment of ligaments. Look at the head extremity that articulates with the digits. The articular surface is convex from top to bottom and flattened from side to side.
