Bones of the Hand

The bones of the hand can be categorized as:

1. Carpal bones - these are eight bones located in the wrist region.

2. Metacarpal bones - these are five bones that are related to each of the five digits.

3. Phalanges - these are the bones that make up each finger. There are three phalanges in each finger with the exception of the thumb which has two phalanges.

Clinical Notes:

1. The lunate is commonly dislocated with a fall is broken by an outstretched hand.

2. The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone. In the event of a fracture, due to the poor blood supply in this region, avascular necrosis of the proximal fragment may occur.