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What are knuckles called?

Published in Anatomy 1 min read

Knuckles are commonly called metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP joints).

Here's a breakdown for a better understanding:

  • What they are: Knuckles are the joints where your fingers and thumb connect to your hand. More specifically, they are the joints between the metacarpal bones of the hand and the phalanges (finger bones).

  • Technical Name: The scientific or anatomical term for these joints is metacarpophalangeal joints, often abbreviated as MCP joints.

  • Function: These joints allow you to bend, extend, and move your fingers and thumb, enabling a wide range of hand movements.

  • Common Usage: While "metacarpophalangeal joints" is the accurate anatomical term, "knuckles" is the term most people use in everyday conversation.

In summary, while technically called metacarpophalangeal joints (or MCP joints), the common name for these joints on your hand is knuckles.

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