Metacarpus

The metacarpus is the group of bones making up the palm of the hand.

Location of the metacarpus

The metacarpus is located in the palm of the hand between the wrist bones (carpus) and the finger bones (phalanx bones).

Structure of the metacarpus

The metacarpus is formed from five long bones, the metacarpal bones, each of which is connected to the bones of one of the five fingers of the hand. The metacarpal bones have a thinner body than their ends. They are numbered from 1 to 5, from the thumb to the little finger.

Function of the metacarpus

The metacarpus forms the link between the fingers and wrist through the two joints:

• the metacarpal phalangeal joint ;
• and the carpometacarpal joint.