The Hand

The skeletal system is the body system composed of bones and cartilage
and performs the following critical functions for the human body: supports the
body. facilitates movement. protects internal organs. produces blood cells.
The Hand
The human hand is a unique and incredibly dexterous tool make possible
largely by the location and utilization of the skeletal features of the hand and
forearm.
Above is a depiction of the bones of the hand. Nearest the wrist are
the Carpus or Carpal bones. The broad flat part of the upper hand
and palm are made possible by the Metacarpus or Metacarpal
bones. When you strike someone with your knuckles you are
actually making contact with the ends of the metacarpal bones.
The Phalanges
The fingers each consist of three bones, with the exception of the thumb
which has two. These bones, referred to as phalanx bones, or by the plural
term phalanges, are named according to their position.
The phalanges nearest the wrist (sometimes called the first phalanges) are
referred to as proximal phalanges because they are proximal or closest to the
wrist (or body). The distal phalanges (third phalanges) are the bones at the
tips of the fingers and are so named because they are furthest from the body.
The intermediate phalanges are obviously the bones in the middle, between
the proximal and distal phalanges.
At the tip of each distal phalanx can be found the ungula tuberosity. This
provides a broad support region for the pad of each finger.
There are fourteen phalanx bones in each hand. There are also five
metacarpal bones and eight carpal bones in each hand, yielding a total of
twenty-seven bones in each hand.
Each finger has a scientific name as well as a common name. The scientific name is seldom used except
when one wishes to be specific about what is being referenced. We will not use the scientific names
because they are beyond the scope and intent of our conversation. However, for completeness here are
the scientific names for each digit of the hand.
Common Name(s) Scientific Name
Little finger, Pinky Digitus Minimus Manus
Ring finger Digitus Annularis
Middle finger Digitus Medius or Digitus Tertius
Index finger Digitus Secundus Manus
Thumb Pollex
Each joint on the finger also has a name. The finger joint nearest the tip of
each finger is referred to as the Distal-Interphalangeal (or DIP) joint. The
middle knuckle Proximal-Interphalangeal (or PIP) joint.
The Metacarpals
Your knuckles are located where the phalanges meet the metacarpal bones.
This joint is called the Metacarpal Phalangeal (MCP) joint. The metacarpal
bones are positioned between the phalanges and the carpals (discussed later)
and can readily be felt at the back of the hand. There are five metacarpal
bones in each hand, one for each finger and the thumb. They are numbered
one through five, beginning with the thumb.
Metacarpal lengths vary greatly from one individual to another. Relatively

speaking however, the first metacarpal bone is the shortest and the most stout
while the second metacarpal is the longest. It also has the largest base. The
diagram above suggests the third metacarpal is the longest, but in reality the
second metacarpal is slightly longer than the third.
The two metacarpal bones that are most commonly broken are number one
and number five. Number five is usually broken by striking a hard object with a
fist (which can happen if rotational delivery is not used or if the elbow is
allowed to flair outward while striking with a Ken Tsuki). The first metacarpal
is most likely to break at its base (proximal end). This usually occurs if the
thumb is pulled outward and away from the hand beyond its normal range of
motion (hyperabduction). This can occur if the thumb is caught in clothing or
against a body part as a strike is being delivered. Both conditions can occur
as the result of an ill-formed hand strike.
The Carpals (Carpus)
The carpal bones at the base of the wrist serve as anchor points for the many
tendons and ligaments that enable wrist movement. These bones function as
a series of joints that enable the wrist to move with great flexibility and agility.
These bones are organized so that together they have a convex shape
proximally (where they meet the radius and ulna bones) and a concave shape
distally (where they meet the metacarpals). The carpals are organized as two
rows and three columns of individual bones.
The first (proximal) row consists of the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and
pisiform. The distal row consists of the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and
hamate bones. In both cases the bones are listed in order from the lateral to
the medial side of the hand.
The pisiform is a sesamoid bone that forms in a tendon and is not present at
birth. It develops through ossification of tendon tissues and usually does not
fully develop until an individual is about twelve years of age. Its general
location is shown in the diagram above, though it is not well depicted.
When thought of as three columns then these columns are (in order from the
lateral to medial side of the hand):
 The radial scaphoid column comprised of the scaphoid,
trapezium, and trapezoid bones.
 The lunate column comprised of the lunate and capitate bones.
 The ulnar triquetral column comprised of the triquetrum and
hamate bones.
The pisiform is not considered part of these columnar definitions.
Additional sesamoid bone formations occur in some individuals but are not
consistently developed by everyone. These bones develop to provide
additional leverage for tendons and develop after repeated stress and usage.
A carpenter is likely to have a different set of additional sesamoid bones (if
any) than a typist. These bones are not normally considered part of the
carpals because they do not consistently appear in the general population and
their presence can vary greatly from one individual to another.

The Hand

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The skeletal system is the body system composed of bones and cartilage

Common Name(s) Scientific Name

Little finger, Pinky Digitus Minimus Manus

Ring finger Digitus Annularis

Middle finger Digitus Medius or Digitus Tertius

Index finger Digitus Secundus Manus

Metacarpal lengths vary greatly from one individual to another. Relatively

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