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The ring metacarpal is somewhat more mobile while the fifth metacarpal is semi-independent. [1] Each metacarpal bone consists of a body or shaft, and two extremities; the head at the distal or digital end (near the fingers), and the base at the proximal or carpal end (close to the wrist).
In human anatomy, the radial (RCL) and ulnar (UCL) collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) of the hand are the primary stabilisers of the MCP joints. [1] A collateral ligament flanks each MCP joint - one on either side. Each attaches proximally at the head of the metacarpal bone, and distally at the base of the phalynx.
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 .
These joints are of the condyloid kind, formed by the reception of the rounded heads of the metacarpal bones into shallow cavities on the proximal ends of the proximal phalanges. [1] Being condyloid, they allow the movements of flexion , extension , abduction , adduction and circumduction (see anatomical terms of motion ) at the joint.
The intermetacarpal joints are in the hand formed between the metacarpal bones. The bases of the second, third, fourth and fifth metacarpal bones articulate with one another by small surfaces covered with cartilage. The metacarpal bones are connected together by dorsal, palmar, and interosseous ligaments.
The first metacarpal bone is short and thick with a shaft thicker and broader than those of the other metacarpal bones. Its narrow shaft connects its widened base and rounded head; the former consisting of a thick cortical bone surrounding the open medullary canal; the latter two consisting of cancellous bone surrounded by a thin cortical shell.
The metacarpal bone of the index finger has two centres of ossification: a primary centre in the shaft and a secondary centre in the head. This contrasts to the first metacarpal bone where the secondary centre is found in the base. The ossification process begins in the shaft during prenatal life, and in the head between 11th and 22nd months. [4]
The capitate is the largest carpal bone found within the hand. [2] The capitate is found within the distal row of carpal bones. The capitate lies directly adjacent to the metacarpal of the ring finger on its distal surface, has the hamate on its ulnar surface and trapezoid on its radial surface, and abuts the lunate and scaphoid proximally.