metacarpus

[met-uh-kahr-puhs]

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.

metacarpus

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of metacarpus¹

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

Related Words

• appendage 
• fist 
• grip 
• palm