Key: MC = Metacarpal; PP = Proximal Phalanx; MP = Middle Phalanx; DP = Distal Phalanx
- There are 14 phalanges on each hand. A phalanx attatched
to a Metacarpal is called a proximal phalanx. Phalanges at the tips of
fingers and the thumb are distal phalanges. The four phalanges in the fingers
that are connected to both a distal and proximal phalanx are called middle
phalanges.
There are 5 metcarpals that connect to proximal phalanges and carpals. Little movment occurs at the intermetalcarpal joints that are located where the carpals and metacarpals meet.
All phalanges and metacarpals are long bones. They are connected to each other at interphalangeal joints and to metacarpals at metacarpal-phalangeal joints. Both of these joints are hinge joints. The joints between carpals, or midcarpal joints, are gliding joints.
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