The bones of the hand are called carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges, along with some small sesamoid bones.
Here's a breakdown:
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Carpals: These are the eight small bones that make up the wrist. They are arranged in two rows of four. [1][2]
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Metacarpals: These are the five bones that form the palm of your hand. They connect the carpals to the phalanges. [1][2]
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Phalanges: These are the bones of the fingers and thumb. Each finger has three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal), while the thumb only has two (proximal and distal). [1][2] There are a total of fourteen phalanges in each hand.
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Sesamoid Bones: These are small bones embedded in tendons. The hand typically has four consistently present sesamoid bones, located near the thumb. [1][2]
| Bone Type | Description | Quantity (per hand) |
|---|---|---|
| Carpals | Eight small bones forming the wrist | 8 |
| Metacarpals | Five bones forming the palm | 5 |
| Phalanges | Bones of the fingers and thumb (3 per finger, 2 per thumb) | 14 |
| Sesamoid Bones | Small bones embedded in tendons, typically near the thumb. | 4 |
In summary, the hand is composed of 27 bones in total (excluding sesamoid bones). The carpals form the wrist, the metacarpals form the palm, and the phalanges form the fingers and thumb.
