Joints of hand

Joints of the Hand

The hand is a complex structure that is made up of numerous joints. These joints provide the hand with a wide range of motion, allowing it to perform a variety of tasks. The joints of the hand include the wrist joint, the intercarpal joints, the carpometacarpal joints, the intermetacarpal joints, the metacarpophalangeal joints, and the interphalangeal joints.

Etymology

The term "joint" comes from the Latin junctus, meaning "joined". The specific names of the joints of the hand are derived from the bones they connect. For example, the metacarpophalangeal joints connect the metacarpal bones to the phalanges.

Wrist Joint

The wrist joint, also known as the radiocarpal joint, is a complex joint that connects the forearm to the hand. It allows for a wide range of motion, including flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction.

Intercarpal Joints

The intercarpal joints are the joints between the carpal bones in the wrist. They are plane joints, which allow for limited gliding movement.

Carpometacarpal Joints

The carpometacarpal joints are the joints between the carpal bones and the metacarpal bones. The thumb's carpometacarpal joint is a saddle joint, which allows for a wide range of motion. The other four carpometacarpal joints are plane joints.

Intermetacarpal Joints

The intermetacarpal joints are the joints between the metacarpal bones. They are plane joints, which allow for limited gliding movement.

Metacarpophalangeal Joints

The metacarpophalangeal joints are the joints between the metacarpal bones and the phalanges. They are condyloid joints, which allow for flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and circumduction.

Interphalangeal Joints

The interphalangeal joints are the joints between the phalanges. They are hinge joints, which allow for flexion and extension.

Related Terms

• Arthritis: A condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints.
• Synovial joint: A type of joint that is surrounded by a thick, fluid-filled capsule.
• Ligament: A band of fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones.

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