
Carpals or carpal bones are the 8 bones in the wrist. They are not actually part of the hand but are vital for its function. Metacarpals are the 5 bones that form the palm of the hand. Phalanges are the 14 small bones that, when strung together, form the thumb and fingers. The thumb has 2 phalanges.
How many bones are in the human hand?
Usually one hand is preferred for carrying out fine and complex movements, so we often say people are either right- or left-handed. Bones and joints The human hand is made up of a total of 27 individual bones: 8 carpal bones, 5 metacarpal bones and 14 "finger bones" (also called phalanges) are connected by joints and ligaments.
How many bones are in your hand?
There are 27 bones in the human hand (excluding sesamoid bone) The human hand is made up of 27 bones, which fall into specific “categories”: How Many Chest Bones Are In The Human Body?
What are mnemonic for hand bones?
Two types of mnemonics are common to remember wrist bones: one describes the position of the carpal bones from the radial to the ulnar side, for both rows, proximal then distal, and the other starting with the proximal row from the scaphoid towards the pinky (small finger) and then the distal row starting from the hamate towards the thumb.
What are the names of the bones in the finger?
They can be divided into three categories:
- Carpal bones (Proximal) – A set of eight irregularly shaped bones. These are located in the wrist area.
- Metacarpals – There are five metacarpals, each one related to a digit
- Phalanges (Distal) – The bones of the fingers. Each finger has three phalanges, except for the thumb, which has two.

What are the bones in the hands?
There are 3 major types of bones in the hand itself, including:Phalanges. The 14 bones that are found in the fingers of each hand and also in the toes of each foot. ... Metacarpal bones. The 5 bones that compose the middle part of the hand.Carpal bones. The 8 bones that create the wrist.
What are the 5 bones in the hand?
The palm has five bones known as metacarpal bones, one to each of the 5 digits. These metacarpals have a head, a shaft, and a base. Human hands contain fourteen digital bones, also called phalanges, or phalanx bones: two in the thumb (the thumb has no middle phalanx) and three in each of the four fingers.
What is the extra bone in your hand called?
Most people typically have 5 sesamoid bones in each hand—the thumb has 2 in the MCP joint and 1 in the IP joint; the index finger has 1 in the MCP joint; the small finger has 1 in the MCP (Yammine, 2014; Yammine, 2018).
What do you call the bones of the arms and hands?
The humerus is the single bone of the arm, and the ulna (medially) and the radius (laterally) are the paired bones of the forearm. The base of the hand contains eight carpal bones, and the palm of the hand is formed by five metacarpal bones. The fingers and thumb contain a total of 14 phalanges.
What is the most common bone broken in the hand?
The distal phalanx is the most commonly fractured bone in the hand, followed by the metacarpals [3]. The bones of the hand and wrist are shown in the figure (figure 1). Metacarpal fractures are seen more often in adults, whereas phalangeal fractures are more common in children [2].
What is the wrist bone that sticks out called?
Pisiform boneThe pisiform bone (/ˈpaɪsɪfɔːrm/ or /ˈpɪzɪfɔːrm/), also spelled pisiforme (from the Latin pisifomis, pea-shaped), is a small knobbly, sesamoid bone that is found in the wrist.
Why do knuckles get bigger with age?
The finger joints lose cartilage and the bones thicken slightly. Finger joint changes, most often bony swelling called osteophytes, are more common in women.
What is meaty part of hand called?
Thenar eminence, most fleshy portion of the palm of the human hand, located adjacent to the second joint of the thumb.
What is the name of the hard part inside the hand?
Bones are hard tissues that give your hand shape and stability. Phalanges are the finger bones. Metacarpals are the middle part of the hand bones. Carpals are the wrist bones.
What are hands parts called?
The parts of the hand include, Thumb, Index finger, Middle finger, Ring finger, Little finger, Palm, Wrist, Knuckle, Fingernail.
What is your forearm bone called?
Your arm is made up of three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus) and two forearm bones (the ulna and the radius).
What are thumb joints called?
The thumb basal joint, also known as the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, is a specialized saddle-shaped joint that is formed by a small wrist bone (trapezium) and the first of the three bones in the thumb (metacarpal).
How many bone are there in the hand?
27 bonesThe hand's complex anatomy consists of 27 bones, 27 joints, 34 muscles, over 100 ligaments and tendons, numerous blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissue. It is important to understand the normal anatomy of the hand in order to learn about diseases and conditions that can affect our hands.
What are the 7 bones of the wrist?
Wrist BonesScaphoid. The scaphoid is a bone in the wrist. ... Lunate. The lunate is a bone in the middle of the wrist in the first row of wrist bones. ... Triquetrum. The triquetrum is a bone on the small finger side of the wrist in the first row of wrist bones. ... Trapezoid. ... Trapezium. ... Capitate. ... Hamate. ... Pisiform.More items...
How many types of bones are in the hand?
They are usually classified into five types of bones that include the flat, long, short, irregular, and sesamoid bones. The human bones have a number of important functions in the body.
How many hands are in a bone?
The metacarpal bones connect the fingers and the carpal bones of the wrist. Each human hand has five metacarpals and eight carpal bones....HandTA2148FMA9712Anatomical terminology9 more rows
Why is the scaphoid at risk of necrosis?
The scaphoid is at particular risk of avascular necrosis after fracture because of its so-called ‘retrograde blood supply’ which enters at its distal end. This means that a fracture to the middle (or ‘waist’) of the scaphoid may interrupt the blood supply to the proximal part of the scaphoid bone rendering it avascular.
What are the bones of the metacarpals?
The metacarpal bones articulate proximally with the carpals, and distally with the proximal phalanges. They are numbered, and each associated with a digit: 1 Metacarpal I – Thumb. 2 Metacarpal II – Index finger. 3 Metacarpal III – Middle finger. 4 Metacarpal IV – Ring finger. 5 Metacarpal V – Little finger.
What is a boxer's fracture?
Boxer’s fracture – A fracture of the 5th metacarpal neck. It is usually caused by a clenched fist striking a hard object. The distal part of the fracture is displaced anteriorly, producing shortening of the affected finger.
What are the bones of the fingers called?
The phalanges are the bones of the fingers. The thumb has a proximal and distal phalanx, while the rest of the digits have proximal, middle and distal phalanges. print Print this Article. star_border Rate this Article.
What happens if you miss a scaphoid fracture?
Patients with a missed scaphoid fracture are likely to develop osteoarthritis of the wrist in later life.
How many rows are there in the carpal bones?
The carpal bones are a group of eight, irregularly shaped bones. They are organised into two rows: proximal and distal.
What are the bones of the hand?
Bones of the Hand: Carpals, Metacarpals and Phalanges. The bones of the hand provide support and flexibility to the soft tissues. They can be divided into three categories: Carpal bones (Proximal) – A set of eight irregularly shaped bones. These are located in the wrist area.
What is the fingernail made of?
Each fingertip— distal phalanx and accompanying tissue—contains a fingernail. These structures are made of keratin, a tough protein. Similar types of keratin also make up human hair, the scales and claws of reptiles, and the feathers, claws, and beaks of birds.
How many bones are in the palm?
Each hand consists of 19 bones. The palm includes five metacarpals, and each finger except the thumb contains one proximal phalanx, one middle phalanx, and one distal phalanx. The thumb doesn’t have a middle phalanx. Each bone is connected by a series of ligaments.
What are the functions of gross motor movements?
Gross motor movements allow us to pick up large objects or perform heavy labor. Fine motor movements enable us to perform delicate tasks, such as holding small objects or performing detailed work. The complex abilities of the hand are part of what make humans unique.
How many segments are there in the hand?
The hand can be considered in four segments:
What are the functions of the hand?
Hand. Hands are capable of a wide variety of functions, including gross and fine motor movements. Gross motor movements allow us to pick up large objects or perform heavy labor. Fine motor movements enable us to perform delicate tasks, such as holding small objects or performing detailed work.
Which part of the body lacks both of these?
The only other place on the body that lacks both of these is the sole of the foot. These two surfaces also have thicker skin than other places of the body. Although fully functional hands can accomplish great things, they are susceptible to a number of ailments, including: Arthritis. Deformities.
What connects the wrist bones to each other?
Ligaments . Ligaments connect the wrist bones to each other and to the hand and forearm bones. Ligaments are like elastic bands that keep bones in place. They cross the wrist from each side to hold the bones together. Tendons. Tendons are another kind of elastic connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones.
What are the bones in the wrist called?
Your wrist is made up of eight small bones called the carpal bones, or the carpus. These join your hand to the two long bones in your forearm — the radius and ulna. The carpal bones are small square, oval, and triangular bones. The cluster of carpal bones in the wrist make it both strong and flexible. Your wrist and hand wouldn’t work the same ...
How many carpal bones are there in the wrist?
Your wrist and hand wouldn’t work the same if the wrist joint was only made up of one or two larger bones. The eight carpal bones are: Trapezium: a rounded-square shaped bone above the scaphoid and under the thumb. Trapezoid: bone beside the trapezium that’s shaped like a wedge.
What is the wrist made of?
Wrist injuries. Share on Pinterest. Your wrist is made up of many smaller bones and joints that allow your hand to move in several directions. It also includes the end of the arm bones. Let’s take a closer look.
What are the causes of wrist pain?
Stress injuries can affect the bones, ligaments, and nerves of the wrist. They include: carpal tunnel. ganglion cysts. tendinitis. Depending on the injury, issue, and individual circumstances, treatment for common wrist issues range from rest, support, and exercises to medications and surgery.
What are the bones of the hand?
The hand bones between your fingers and wrist are made up of five long bones called metacarpals. They make up the bony part at the back of your hand. The bones of your hand connect to the top four wrist bones: trapezium. trapezoid. capitate. hamate. Where they connect is called the carpometacarpal joints.
How many joints does the wrist have?
The wrist has three main joints. This makes the wrist more stable than if it had only one joint. It also gives your wrist and hand a wide range of movement. The wrist joints let your wrist move your hand up and down, like when you lift your hand to wave.
