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BONES OF THE HAND ANATOMY

Author: Dr. Bogdan Leahu
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Bones of the hand anatomy 360-degree interactive viewer showing carpal bones, metacarpal bones, phalanges, and sesamoid bones in X-ray imaging
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

What are the bones of the hand?

  • The skeleton of your hand is composed of distinct segments that work together to provide structure and functionality
  • These include the carpal bones forming your wrist, the metacarpal bones creating your palm, the phalanges which are the bones of your digits, and the sesamoid bones, small bones embedded within tendons
  • The hand skeleton describes the following structures:
    • Carpal bones
    • Metacarpal bones
    • Phalanges
    • Sesamoid bones

CARPAL BONES

Carpal bones 360-degree viewer showing eight wrist bones arranged in proximal and distal rows including navicular, lunate, triquetral, pisiform, capitate, and hamate
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How many carpal bones are there?

  • Total: Eight carpal bones
  • Arrangement: Two rows - Proximal and Distal

Proximal Row (Radial to Ulnar Side)

What are the proximal row carpal bones?

  • Navicular (Scaphoid)
  • Lunate
  • Triquetral
  • Pisiform

Distal Row

What are the distal row carpal bones?

  • Greater multangular (Trapezium)
  • Lesser multangular (Trapezoid)
  • Capitate
  • Hamate

→ Read more about Carpal Bones Anatomy

METACARPAL BONES

Metacarpal bones 360-degree viewer showing five metacarpal bones with body, base (proximal end), and head (distal end) structures
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How many metacarpal bones are there?

  • Total: Five metacarpal bones
  • Numbering: Enumerated laterally from the thumb

Structure of Metacarpal Bones

What is the structure of a metacarpal bone?

  • Body: The shaft of the metacarpal
  • Base (Proximal End): Articulates with the carpal bones
  • Head (Distal End): Articulates with the proximal phalanges

→ Read more about Metacarpal Bones Anatomy

PHALANGES

Phalanges of the hand 360-degree viewer showing fourteen phalanges with body tapering distally, convex dorsal surface, and concave volar surface
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How many phalanges are in the hand?

  • Total: Fourteen phalanges
  • Arrangement:
    • Three for each of your fingers (proximal, middle, distal)
    • Two for your thumb (proximal, distal)

Structure of Phalanges

What is the structure of a phalanx?

  • Body:
    • Tapers distally
    • Dorsal surface: Convex
    • Volar surface: Concave
  • Two Ends: Proximal and distal extremities for articulation

→ Read more about Phalanges of the Hand Anatomy

SESAMOID BONES

Where are the sesamoid bones of the hand?

  • Location: Palmar surface of your hand
  • Typical Locations:
    • Two at the metacarpophalangeal joint of your thumb
    • One sometimes at the metacarpophalangeal joint of your little finger

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.