
The skeleton of the hand contains 27 bones which can be divided into three groups:
- The carpus (the wrist) – comprised of 8 carpal bones
- The metacarpus – comprised of 5 metacarpal bones
- The phalanges – comprised of 14 phalangeal bones
How many bones are in a human 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? Which of The Skull Bones Are Movable?
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 the names of the finger bones?
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 names of the hand joints?
Wrist Joints
- Radiocarpal Joint. The radiocarpal joint consists of the radius, one of the forearm bones, and the first row of wrist bones consisting of the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum.
- Ulnocarpal Joint. ...
- Distal radioulnar. ...
- Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Joint (STT) The scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint is at the base of the thumb in the wrist. ...

What are the 8 bones of the hand?
Bones and ArticulationLunate.Triquetrum.Pisiform.Capitate.Trapezium.Trapezoid.Hamate.Scaphoid.
How many bones are in a hand?
The 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 is the smallest bone in your hand?
Trapezoid boneThe trapezoid bone (lesser multangular bone) is a carpal bone in tetrapods, including humans. It is the smallest bone in the distal row of carpal bones that give structure to the palm of the hand.
What are the 8 bones of the wrist?
There are eight wrist bones, including the scaphoid bone, which is often fractured.Scaphoid. 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. ... Trapezoid. ... Trapezium. ... Capitate. ... Hamate. ... Pisiform.More items...
How many bones does a 9 year old have?
204-206 bonesA child of 9 has 204-206 bones. It is the same number of bones as an adult but they are still growing and maturing.
How many bones are in the hand and arm?
Bones of the arm, wrist and hand: There are 64 bones in the upper extremity. They consist of 10 shoulder and arm, 16 wrist and 38 hand bones. The 10 shoulder and arm bones are the clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, and ulna on each side.
How many bones are in a arm?
three bonesYour arm is made up of three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus) and two forearm bones (the ulna and the radius). The term "broken arm" may refer to a fracture in any of these bones.
Are thumbs considered fingers?
The thumb, and the rest of the fingers, are appendages or digits of the hand. While the thumb is distinctly different from the other four fingers, many medical professionals consider it a finger due to differences in size, bones, joints, and function.
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 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 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.
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.
How many metacarpals are there?
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. In this article, we shall look at the anatomical features of the bones of the hand.
What is the band of the carpal bones?
Collectively, the carpal bones form an arch in the coronal plane. A membranous band, the flexor retinaculum, spans between the medial and lateral edges of the arch, forming the carpal tunnel.
Which bones articulate proximally with the carpals?
The metacarpal bones articulate proximally with the carpals, and distally with the proximal phalanges. They are numbered, and each associated with a digit:
How many bones are there in the hand?
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. Each finger has 3 phalanges (the distal, middle, and proximal); the thumb only has 2. Metacarpal bones.
What are the bones that make up the wrist?
Carpal bones. The 8 bones that create the wrist. The 2 rows of carpal bones are connected to 2 bones of the arm--the ulna bone and the radius bone. Numerous muscles, ligaments, tendons, and sheaths can be found within the hand. The muscles are the structures that can contract, allowing movement of the bones in the hand.
What are the structures that contract and bind together the joints in the hand?
The muscles are the structures that can contract, allowing movement of the bones in the hand. The ligaments are fibrous tissues that help bind together the joints in the hand. The sheaths are tubular structures that surround part of the fingers.
What connects the muscles in the arm to the bone?
The tendons connect muscles in the arm or hand to the bone to allow movement. In addition, there are arteries, veins and nerves within the hand that provide blood flow and sensation to the hand and fingers.
What are the bones of the hand and wrist?
Hand Bones and Wrist Bones. In this anatomy lesson, you’ll learn that the bones of the hand and wrist make up part of the appendicular skeleton. These bones consist mostly of long bones, except for the eight bones of the wrist, called carpals, which anatomists classify as short bones. The bones of the hand and wrist can be broken down ...
How many bones are there in the human hand?
The bones of the hand and wrist can be broken down into 14 phalanges, 5 metacarpals, and 8 carpals. When you combine both hands/wrists, you’ll get a total of 54 bones out of the 206 human bones in the average adult skeleton.
What are the short bones of the wrist called?
The carpus, or wrist, contains eight short wrist bones are called carpals (named after Latin and Greek words meaning “wrist”). These bones have bizarre names, but that’s because they are named after ancient words related to their general shape:
What is the phalanx bone called?
The phalanx bone in the middle is called “middle” or “intermediate.”. The thumb has only distal and proximal phalanges (no middle/intermediate).
What are the digits of the finger called?
Let’s start with the fingers, which are also called digits. Each digit has a name that you probably already know: You have a thumb (also called pollex), index finger (also called pointer finger), middle finger, ring finger, and little finger (pinky).
What is the number of the metacarpal bones?
These bones don’t have individual names, but rather, are numbered 1-5, with one being the metacarpal proximal to the thumb, and five being the metacarpal proximal to the little finger. (Remember: when you hold up your thumb, it’s one digit, and it’s also digit/metacarpal number one.)
Which bone articulates with the metacarpal?
If you look at the right hand from the anterior position (palm facing you), you’ll notice that the metacarpal of the thumb articulates with the trapezium bone. Thumb and trapezium both start with “t”, and both contain the letter “m.”. So that can help you remember which carpal bone articulates with the metacarpal number one (thumb).
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
What are the joints in your hands made of?
Joints. The joints in our hands are made up of cartilage surfaces that cap the bones. Cartilage is a smooth surface that allows for gliding. When cartilage is healthy, there is a cushioning effect of the cartilage that absorbs and evens out the forces across the joint. The joints in our hands are made up of cartilage surfaces that cap the bones.
What is the name of the joint where the fingers move with respect to the hand?
Metacarpophalangeal Joint (MCP Joint) The MP joint is where the hand bone, called the metacarpal, meets the finger bones called the phalanges. A single hand bone is called a phalanx. MP joints are important for both power grip and pinch activities and are where the fingers move with respect to the hand.
What is the thumb CMC joint?
The thumb CMC joint is one of the most common areas in the hand and wrist to develop arthritis. Surgical treatment for arthritis of the joint often includes removal of the trapezium or resurfacing of the joint. Common injuries to this joint include a Bennett’s fracture and a Rolando’s fracture.
What is the name of the joint where the metacarpal meets the finger bones?
Metacarpophalangeal Joint (MCP Joint) The MP joint is where the hand bone called the metacarpal meets the finger bones called the phalanges. A single hand bone is called a phalanx. MP joints are important for both power grip and pinch activities; they are where the fingers move with respect to the hand.
How many phalanges does a thumb have?
The thumb digit has only two phalanges (bones) so it only has one joint. The thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint is similar to the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint in the fingers. The IP joint in thumb is located at the tip of the finger just before the fingernail starts.
What is cartilage in a joint?
Cartilage is a smooth surface that allows for gliding. When cartilage is healthy, there is a cushioning effect of the cartilage that absorbs and evens out the forces across the joint. Our joints typically have a capsule of tough, but flexible, fibrous tissue that helps hold the joints together and an inner lining of synovium.
Which joint is the first joint of the finger?
The index finger is more likely to develop arthritis from the pinch force that occurs throughout one’s life. Proximal Interphalangeal Joint (PIP Joint) The PIP joint is the first joint of the finger and is located between the first two bones of the finger. The PIP joint can bend and extend the finger.
