Question

The metacarpal is defined as:

A)
The center point of the hand

B)
The most distal point of the hand

C)
Pertaining to the long bones of the hand between the carpus and phalanges

D)
The muscle of the posterior lower arm

Answer 1

The metacarpal bones are the five long bones in the palm of the hand, numbered from the thumb to the little finger, which articulate with the carpal bones and the phalanges to form the joints of the hand.

Step-by-step explanation:

The metacarpal bones are one of the five long bones that form the palm of the hand. These bones are situated between the carpal bones of the wrist and the phalanx bones of the fingers and the thumb. The proximal end of each metacarpal bone articulates with the carpal bones, forming the carpometacarpal joints, while the distal end articulates with the phalanges at the metacarpophalangeal joints, which are also the knuckles when clenched.

The metacarpal bones are numbered from 1 to 5, beginning with the thumb, which is the most freely mobile and allows for the precision grippings, such as pinching. In contrast, the second and third metacarpal bones are firmer and essentially immobile, providing stability, whereas the fourth and fifth have limited anterior-posterior mobility, beneficial for power gripping.