metacarpus

American  

[met-uh-kahr-puhs] / ˌmɛt əˈkɑr pəs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

metacarpi

1. the part of a hand or forelimb, especially of its bony structure, included between the wrist, or carpus, and the fingers, or phalanges.

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metacarpus British  

/ ˌmɛtəˈkɑːpəs /

noun

1. the skeleton of the hand between the wrist and the fingers, consisting of five long bones

2. the corresponding bones in other vertebrates

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Etymology

Origin of metacarpus

1670–80; < New Latin ( meta-, carpus ), replacing metacarpium < Greek metakárpion

Example Sentences

It is, with relation to other regions, short in proportion as the metacarpus is elongated, and as the number of digits is lessened.

From Project Gutenberg

A 3�4�5 cm. fibrous mass in the subcutis about the digital flexor tendon on the volar surface of the metacarpus.

From Project Gutenberg

The bones which correspond to the back of the hand in man, termed the metacarpus, are variable in length in Pterodactyles—sometimes very long and sometimes short.

From Project Gutenberg

Fossils show that the metacarpus - one of the "hand" bones - was elongated and much bigger than in related species, with very thick walls.

From BBC

This runs down the anterior and outer side of the upper arm, and is attached to the proximal tendon of the extensor metacarpi radialis longus, a little below the outer condyle of the humerus.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appendage
• fist
• grip
• palm