Fourth metacarpal bone
Fourth metacarpal bone | |
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![]() Fourth metacarpal of the left hand (shown in red). Palmar view.
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![]() The fourth metacarpal. (Left.)
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Details | |
Latin | Os metacarpale IV |
Identifiers | |
MeSH | A02.835.232.087.319.550 |
TA | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 744: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
TH | {{#property:P1694}} |
TE | {{#property:P1693}} |
FMA | 23902 |
Anatomical terms of bone
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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
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A fractured right hand fourth metacarpal (boxer's fracture).
See also
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
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