Metacarpal Bones

There are 5 METACARPAL BONES found distal to the carpus and proximal to the digits ("meta" means beyond, so metacarpals are beyond the carpal bones). The metacarpal bones are designated METACARPAL 1 (#10), METACARPAL 2 (#11), METACARPAL 3 (#12), METACARPAL 4 (#13) and METACARPAL 5 (#14) in a medial to lateral direction, respectively. Metacarpal 1 is shorter than the other metacarpals and is always present.
Examine and palpate your own metacarpal 1 proximal to your thumb. Examine and palpate your other metacarpal bones.

As with the carpal bones be prepared that sometimes the numbers used to describe the metacarpal bones can be roman numerals.

The proper terminology would be "METACARPAL 4".

Image series key:

1. RADIUS
2. ULNA
3. INTERMEDIORADIAL CARPAL BONE
4. ACCESSORY CARPAL BONE
5. ULNAR CARPAL BONE
6. FIRST CARPAL BONE
7. SECOND CARPAL BONE
8. THIRD CARPAL BONE
9. FOURTH CARPAL BONE
10. METACARPAL 1
11. METACARPAL 2**
12. METACARPAL 3**
13. METACARPAL 4**
14. METACARPAL 5**
15. PROXIMAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 1**
16. DISTAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 1**
17. PROXIMAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 2**
18. PROXIMAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 3**
19. PROXIMAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 4**
20. PROXIMAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 5**
21. MIDDLE PHALANX OF DIGIT 2**
22. MIDDLE PHALANX OF DIGIT 3**
23. MIDDLE PHALANX OF DIGIT 4**
24. MIDDLE PHALANX OF DIGIT 5**
25. DISTAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 2**
26. DISTAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 3**
27. DISTAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 4**
28. DISTAL PHALANX OF DIGIT 5**
29. PROXIMAL SESAMOID BONE
30. DORSAL SESAMOID BONE
31. SESAMOID IN ABDUCTOR DIGITI 1 LONGUS

**INDICATES PALPABLE STRUCTURE