First Metacarpal

The structure indicated is the first metacarpal of the hand.

There are three groups of bones in the hand:

1. Carpal bones (8 in total)
2. Metacarpal bones
3. Phalanges

The carpal bones are separated into two rows:

1. Proximal row
2. Distal row

There are 5 metacarpal bones numbered 1 to 5 and are located between the carpal bones and the phalanges. The first metacarpal bone is associated with the thumb, the 5^th metacarpal bone is associated with the little finger. The joints between the carpals and the metacarpals are known as carpometacarpal joints. The joints between the metacarpals and the proximal phalanges are known a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. In addition, the bases of the metacarpal bones articulate with each other.

The first carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is particularly important; the articulation between the first metacarpal and the trapezium bone forms a saddle joint and allows a wide range of movement, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction and opposition.

The metacarpal bones consist of the following parts:

• Base
• Shaft
• Head

Learn more about the anatomy of the bones of the hand in this tutorial.

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