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The metacarpus is the intermediate part of the hand skeleton that is located between the fingers distally and the carpus which forms the connection to the forearm. It consists of five cylindrical bones which
are numbered from the radial to the ulnar side (ossa metacarpalia I-V); each consists of a body and two extremities.
Common Characteristics of the Metacarpal Bones
The body (corpus; shaft) is prismoid in form, and curved, so as to be convex in the longitudinal direction
behind, concave in front. It presents three surfaces: medial, lateral, and dorsal. The medial and lateral surfaces are concave,
for the attachment of the interosseus muscles, and separated from one another by a prominent anterior ridge. The dorsal surface
presents in its distal two-thirds a smooth, triangular, flattened area which is covered in by the tendons of the Extensor
muscles. This surface is bounded by two lines, which commence in small tubercles situated on either side of the digital
extremity, and, passing upward, converge and meet some distance above the center of the bone and form a ridge which runs along
the rest of the dorsal surface to the carpal extremity. This ridge separates two sloping surfaces for the attachment of the
Interossei dorsales. To the tubercles on the digital extremities are attached the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal
joints.
The base or carpal extremity (basis) is of a cuboidal form, and broader behind than in front: it
articulates with the carpus, and with the adjoining metacarpal bones; its dorsal and volar surfaces are rough, for the attachment
of ligaments.
The head or digital extremity (capitulum) presents an oblong surface markedly convex from before
backward, less so transversely, and flattened from side to side; it articulates with the proximal phalanx. It is broader, and
extends farther upward, on the volar than on the dorsal aspect, and is longer in the antero-posterior than in the transverse
diameter. On either side of the head is a tubercle for the attachment of the collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal
joint. The dorsal surface, broad and flat, supports the tendons of the extensor muscles; the volar surface is grooved in the
middle line for the passage of the Flexor tendons, and marked on either side by an articular eminence continuous with the
terminal articular surface.
Characteristics of the Individual Metacarpal Bones
The first metacarpal bone (os metacarpale I; metacarpal bone of the thumb) [Fig. 1] is shorter and stouter
than the others, diverges to a greater degree from the carpus, and its volar surface is directed toward the palm. The body is
flattened and broad on its dorsal surface, and does not present the ridge which is found on the other metacarpal bones; its volar
surface is concave from above downward. On its radial border is inserted the opponens pollicis
muscle; its ulnar border gives origin to the lateral head of the first .Interosseus dorsalis. The base presents a
concavo-convex surface, for articulation with the greater multangular; it has no facets on its sides, but on its radial side is a
tubercle for the insertion of the Abductor pollicis longus. The head is less convex than those of the other metacarpal bones, and
is broader from side to side than from before backward. On its volar surface are two articular eminences, of which the lateral is
the larger, for the two sesamoid bones in the tendons of the flexor
pollicis brevis muscle.
The second metacarpal bone (os metacarpale II; metacarpal bone of the index finger) [Fig. 2] is the longest,
and its base the largest, of the four remaining bones. Its base is prolonged upward and medialward, forming a prominent ridge. It
presents four articular facets: three on the upper surface and one on the ulnar side. Of the facets on the upper surface the
intermediate is the largest and is concave from side to side, convex from before backward for articulation with the lesser
multangular; the lateral is small, flat and oval for articulation with the greater multangular; the medial, on the summit of the
ridge, is long and narrow for articulation with the capitate. The facet on the ulnar side articulates with the third metacarpal.
The extensor carpi radialis
longus muscle is inserted on the dorsal surface and the flexor carpi radialis muscle on the volar surface of the base.
The third metacarpal bone (os metacarpale III; metacarpal bone of the middle finger) [Fig. 3] is a little
smaller than the second. The dorsal aspect of its base presents on its radial side a pyramidal eminence, the styloid process,
which extends upward behind the capitate; immediately distal to this is a rough surface for the attachment of the extensor carpi radialis brevis
muscle. The carpal articular facet is concave behind, flat in front, and articulates with the capitate. On the radial side is
a smooth, concave facet for articulation with the second metacarpal, and on the ulnar side two small oval facets for the fourth
metacarpal.
The fourth metacarpal bone (os metacarpale IV; metacarpal bone of the ring finger) [Fig. 4] is shorter and
smaller than the third. The base is small and quadrilateral; its superior surface presents two facets, a large one medially for
articulation with the hamate, and a small one laterally for the capitate. On the radial side are two oval facets, for
articulation with the third metacarpal; and on the ulnar side a single concave facet, for the fifth metacarpal.
The fifth metacarpal bone (os metacarpale V; metacarpal bone of the little finger) [Fig. 5] presents on its
base one facet on its superior surface, which is concavo-convex and articulates with the hamate, and one on its radial side,
which articulates with the fourth metacarpal. On its ulnar side is a prominent tubercle for the insertion of the tendon of the
extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. The dorsal
surface of the body is divided by an oblique ridge, which extends from near the ulnar side of the base to the radial side of the
head. The lateral part of this surface serves for the attachment of the fourth Interosseus dorsalis; the medial part is smooth,
triangular, and covered by the Extensor tendons of the little finger.
Figure 2 : The second metacarpal. (Left.) |
Figure 3 : The third metacarpal. (Left.) |
Figure 4 : The fourth metacarpal. (Left.) |
Figure 5 : The fifth metacarpal. (Left.) |
Articulations
Besides their phalangeal articulations, the metacarpal bones articulate as follows:
the first with the greater multangular; the second with the greater multangular, lesser multangular, capitate and third
metacarpal; the third with the capitate and second and fourth metacarpals; the fourth with the capitate, hamate, and third and
fifth metacarpals; and the fifth with the hamate and fourth metacarpal.
See also
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