The bones in the palm of your hand are called metacarpals. There are five metacarpals, one for each finger. The first metacarpal is connected to the thumb, the second to the index finger, the third to the middle finger, the fourth to the ring finger, and the fifth to the little finger. [1] These long bones form the skeletal framework of the palm, connecting the wrist bones (carpals) to the finger bones (phalanges). [2] The hand also contains other bones, including the carpals in the wrist and the phalanges in the fingers, but the question specifically asks about the bones in the palm itself.
Understanding Hand Anatomy
The hand is a complex structure composed of three main bone groups:
- Carpals: Eight small bones forming the wrist.
- Metacarpals: Five long bones forming the palm.
- Phalanges: Fourteen bones forming the fingers (three in each finger except the thumb, which has two). [1]
Understanding the different bone groups within the hand is essential for grasping the complete anatomical picture. While the carpals and phalanges are closely associated with hand function, the metacarpals are the specific bones located within the palm.
