Metacarpals
Metacarpals are the bones of the hand in the region of the palm. They are located between the wrist bones (carpals) and the finger bones (phalanges). Each hand has five metacarpal bones.
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Metacarpals
Head, body and base are the three parts of the metacarpals. The base is proximally situated, then comes the body and head is the most distal part. The base articulates with the carpal bones and the head with the first (proximal) phalanx of each finger.
A number of muscles are attached to the metacarpals. Some of the important insertions are: Extensor Carpi Radialis muscle is attached to the base of the 2nd metacarpal and helps in extension of wrist and its lateral flexion. Extensor Carpi Ulnaris muscle is inserted into the base of the 5th metacarpal. It helps in medial flexion of the wrist. Abductor Pollicis Longus muscle has a part of its insertion on the base of the 1st metacarpal bone. It helps in abduction of the thumb in frontal plane. Opponens Pollicis muscle inserts on the 1st metacarpal bone. It flexes this metacarpal to oppose the thumb. Opponens digiti minimi muscle is attached to the 5th metacarpal. It helps in opposition of the little finger.
The neck of the metacarpal is the region where the head changes into the body. It is the most common site of the metacarpal to get fractured and is called boxer’s fracture.
ANATOMICAL FEATURES
ATTACHMENTS
CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
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