Bones of the hand

Question 1

What three categories can the hand be divided into?

Answer 1

Carpal bones (proximal)- A set of eight irregularly shaped bones. These are located in the wrist area
Metacarpals- There are five metacarpals, each one related to a digit. 
Phalanges- (distal)- Bones of the fingers, each digit has three phalanges except the thumb which has two

Question 2

Name the eight carpal bones of the hand?

Answer 2

Lateral to medial:

Proximal- Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform
Distal-Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate

Question 3

What carpal bone is most commonly fractured?

What symptoms does this produce?

What may this lead to?

Answer 3

Scaphoid, can lead to pain and tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox.

May lead to a disruption to the blood supply as it travels distal to proximal here. May also lead to osteoarthritis later in life.

Question 4

How are the metacarpal bones arranged?

Answer 4

Metacarpal 1- thumb
Metacarpal 2- Index finger
Metacarpal 3- Middle finger
Metacarpal 4- Ring finger
Metacarpal 5- Little finger

Question 5

What attaches at the shaft of the metacarpals?

What is a boxer’s fracture?

Answer 5

Interossei muscles

Fracture of the 5th metacarpal due to a clenched fist striking a hard object

Question 6

What is bennet’s fracture?

Answer 6

Fracture of the 1st metacarpal due to forced hyperabduction of the thumb.