Bones of the wrist and hand – Anatomy Atlas

Table of Contents

Overview

Bone of the wrist and hand The following image shows the bones of the wrist and hand from palmar (ventral) perspective. Take note how the bones are divided into three groups: carpal, metacarpal and phalanges. Notice that the joints which connect them are named according to the bones that participate in comprising them (e.g. carpo-metacarpal).

Keypoints

Key points about the bones of the wrist and hand
Carpal bones	8 irregular bones that comprise the root of the hand. Proximal row: Scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform Distal row: Trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate Joints: Radiocarpal, intercarpal, midcarpal, carpometacarpal
Metacarpal bones	5 long bones that comprise the roots of digits. Parts: Metacarpal base, body, head Joints: Carpometacarpal, intermetacarpal, metacarpophalangeal
Phalanges	14 long bones that comprise the skeleton of the digits. 5 proximal phalanges; 4 middle phalanges (absent in thumb); 5 distal phalanges. Each phalanx consists of: base, body, head. Joints: Metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal