The third metacarpal bone (metacarpal bone of the
middle finger
The middle finger, long finger, second finger, third finger, toll finger or tall man is the third digit of the human hand, typically located between the index finger and the ring finger. It is typically the longest digit. In anatomy, it is al ...
) is a little smaller than the second.
The dorsal aspect of its base presents on its radial side a pyramidal eminence, the
styloid process, which extends upward behind the
capitate; immediately distal to this is a rough surface for the attachment of the
extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle.
The carpal articular facet is concave behind, flat in front, and articulates with the capitate.
On the radial side is a smooth, concave facet for articulation with the
second metacarpal
The second metacarpal bone (metacarpal bone of the index finger) is the longest, and its base the largest, of all the metacarpal bones.''Gray's Anatomy'' (1918). See infobox.
Human anatomy
Its base is prolonged upward and medialward, forming a ...
, and on the ulnar side two small oval facets for the
fourth metacarpal.
Ossification
The ossification process begins in the shaft during prenatal life, and in the head between the 11th and 27th months.
Additional images
File:Third metacarpal bone (left hand) - animation01.gif, Third metacarpal bone of the left hand (shown in red). Animation.
File:Third metacarpal bone (left hand) - animation02.gif, Third metacarpal bone of the left hand. Close up.
File:Gray219 - Third metacarpal bone.png, Palmer view of the left hand (third metacarpal shown in yellow).
File:Gray220 - Third metacarpal bone.png, Dorsal view of the left hand (third metacarpal shown in yellow).
See also
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Metacarpus
In human anatomy, the metacarpal bones or metacarpus, also known as the "palm bones", are the appendicular skeleton, appendicular bones that form the intermediate part of the hand between the phalanges (fingers) and the carpal bones (wrist, wris ...
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First metacarpal bone
The first metacarpal bone or the metacarpal bone of the thumb is the first bone proximal to the thumb. It is connected to the trapezium of the carpus at the first carpometacarpal joint and to the proximal thumb phalanx at the first metacarp ...
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Second metacarpal bone
The second metacarpal bone (metacarpal bone of the index finger) is the longest, and its base the largest, of all the Metacarpus, metacarpal bones.''Gray's Anatomy'' (1918). See infobox.
Human anatomy
Its base is prolonged upward and medialwar ...
*
Fourth metacarpal bone
The fourth metacarpal bone (metacarpal bone of the ring finger) is shorter and smaller than the third.
The base is small and quadrilateral; its superior surface presents two facets, a large one medially for articulation with the hamate, and a sma ...
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Fifth metacarpal bone
The fifth metacarpal bone (metacarpal bone of the little finger or pinky finger) is the most medial and second-shortest of the metacarpal bones.
Surfaces
It presents on its base one facet on its superior surface, which is concavo-convex and artic ...
References
Skeletal system
Bones of the hand
Metacarpus
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