metacarpus

American  

[met-uh-kahr-puhs] / ˌmɛt əˈkɑr pəs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

metacarpi

1. the part of a hand or forelimb, especially of its bony structure, included between the wrist, or carpus, and the fingers, or phalanges.

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metacarpus British  

/ ˌmɛtəˈkɑːpəs /

noun

1. the skeleton of the hand between the wrist and the fingers, consisting of five long bones

2. the corresponding bones in other vertebrates

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Etymology

Origin of metacarpus

1670–80; < New Latin ( see meta-, carpus), replacing metacarpium < Greek metakárpion

Example Sentences

These three portions are the homologues of the carpus, the metacarpus, and the fingers, which, as we have already seen in the case of the hand, are the osseous groups which form its skeleton.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard

This position of the metacarpus is a remarkable difference from Birds, because when the bird's wing is at rest it is folded into three portions.

From Dragons of the Air An Account of Extinct Flying Reptiles by Seeley, H. G.

This is why, as we have pointed out above, it receives the name of the oblique flexor of the metacarpus.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard

The premaxillae are either small and separated in front, or rudimentary; and the first phalange of the middle finger when in repose is laid back on the metacarpus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 2 "Chicago, University of" to "Chiton" by Various

But the fore-arm and metacarpus in this type only measure 3 inches.

From Dragons of the Air An Account of Extinct Flying Reptiles by Seeley, H. G.

Related Words

• appendage
• fist
• grip
• palm