Fourth metacarpal bone

Fourth metacarpal bone

Fourth metacarpal of the left hand (shown in red). Palmar view.

The fourth metacarpal. (Left.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin Os metacarpale IV
MeSH A02.835.232.087.319.550
FMA 23902

Anatomical terms of 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 small one laterally for the capitate.

On the radial side are two oval facets, for articulation with the third metacarpal; and on the ulnar side a single concave facet, for the fifth metacarpal.

Clinical relevance

A shortened fourth metacarspal bone can be a symptom of Kallmann syndrome, a genetic condition which results in the failure to commence or the non-completion of puberty. A short fourth metacarpal bone can also be found in Turner syndrome, a disorder involving sex chromosomes.

A fracture of the fourth and/or fifth metacarpal bones transverse neck secondary due to axial loading is known as a boxer's fracture.[1]

Ossification

The ossification process begins in the shaft during prenatal life, and in the head between 11th and 37th months.[2]

Additional images

See also

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. ↑ Shultz, S. J., Houglum, P. A., Perrin, D. H. (2010). Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries. Chicago: Human Kinetics
  2. ↑ Balachandran, Ajay; Anooj Krishna; Moumitha Kartha; Libu G. K.; Liza John; Krishnan B (30 December 2013). "A Study of Ossification of heads of 2nd to 5th Metacarpals in Forensic Age Estimation in the Kerala Population" (PDF). Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. 2 (52): 10165–10171. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
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