metacarpal

metacarpal
/met'euh kahr"peuhl/, adj. Anat.
1. of or pertaining to the metacarpus.
n.
2. a metacarpal bone.
[1730-40; META- + CARPAL]

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▪ bone
      any of several tubular bones between the wrist (carpal) bones and each of the forelimb digits in land vertebrates, corresponding to the metatarsal bones of the foot. Originally numbering five, metacarpals in many mammals have undergone much change and reduction during evolution. The lower leg of the horse, for example, includes only one strengthened metacarpal; the two splint bones behind and above the hoof are reduced metacarpals, and the remaining two original metacarpals have been lost. In humans the five metacarpals are flat at the back of the hand and bowed on the palmar side; they form a longitudinal arch that accommodates the muscles, tendons, and nerves of the palm. The metacarpals also form a transverse arch that allows the fingertips and thumb to be brought together for manipulation.

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  • Metacarpal — Met a*car pal, a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the metacarpus. n. A metacarpal bone. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • metacarpal — [met΄ə kär′pəl] adj. of the metacarpus n. any of the bones of the metacarpus: see SKELETON …   English World dictionary

  • metacarpal — 1. Relating to the metacarpus. 2. Any one of the m. bones. See m. (bones) [I–V], under bone. * * * meta·car·pal .met ə kär pəl adj of, relating to, or being the metacarpus or a metacarpal metacarpal n any bone of the metacarpus of the human hand… …   Medical dictionary

  • metacarpal — I noun any bone of the hand between the wrist and fingers • Syn: ↑metacarpal bone • Hypernyms: ↑bone, ↑os • Part Holonyms: ↑metacarpus II …   Useful english dictionary

  • metacarpal — I. adjective Date: 1739 of, relating to, or being the metacarpus or a metacarpal II. noun Date: 1831 a bone of the part of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and the phalanges that typically contains five more or less elongated bones when… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • metacarpal — met•a•car•pal [[t]ˌmɛt əˈkɑr pəl[/t]] adj. 1) anat. of or pertaining to the metacarpus 2) anat. a metacarpal bone • Etymology: 1730–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • metacarpal — /mɛtəˈkapəl/ (say metuh kahpuhl) adjective 1. of or relating to the metacarpus. –noun 2. a metacarpal bone …  

  • metacarpal — metacarpus ► NOUN (pl. metacarpi) ▪ the group of five bones of the hand between the wrist and the fingers. DERIVATIVES metacarpal adjective & noun. ORIGIN Greek metakarpion …   English terms dictionary

  • Metacarpal boss — Metacarpal Bossing is a small, immovable mass of bone that is usually found at the base of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones where they meet the small bones of the wrist. This condition can result in sensitivity in the immediate area and/or an… …   Wikipedia

  • metacarpal bone middle — metacarpal bone, third os metacarpi tertium …   Medical dictionary

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