Anatomy of the Hand and Wrist

Wrist Bones

• Carpal Bones
  • Located at the wrist.
  • Composed of short, irregular bones arranged in two rows.
  • Not to be confused with fingers; these are distinct wrist bones.

Hand Bones

• Metacarpal Bones
  • Make up the bones in the hand.
  • Named using a numbering system:
    • The thumb is considered "number one."
    • The sequence follows as 1 (thumb), 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Distinguishing Right from Left Hand

• Find the thumb:
  • The thumb has only two phalanges.
  • Other fingers have three phalanges each.

Finger Bones

• Phalanges
  • Each segment of a finger is called a phalanx.
  • Multiple segments are termed phalanges.
  • Naming system for phalanges:
    • Proximal, Middle, and Distal Phalanx
    • Example: Right Fourth Middle Phalanx is on the right hand.

Thumb and Special Terminology

• Thumb: Pollux
• Big Toe: Hallux

Key Points

• Thumb Anatomy: Only has proximal and distal phalanges, unlike other fingers.
• Anatomical correctness: Europeans use the thumb as number one when counting.