Metacarpals vs metatarsals: how they differ, in 3D
The metacarpals are the five bones of the palm, and the metatarsals are the five bones in the middle of the foot. Both are numbered 1 to 5 from the thumb or big-toe side, and each joins the wrist or ankle bones at its base and the first phalanx of a finger or toe at its head.
Frequently asked questions
How many metacarpals and metatarsals are there?
Each hand has five metacarpals and each foot has five metatarsals, so there are ten of each in both hands and both feet.
How do the first metacarpal and the first metatarsal differ?
The first metacarpal, of the thumb, is shorter and thicker than the other metacarpals and forms a saddle joint with the trapezium that lets the thumb move widely. The first metatarsal, of the big toe, is the shortest and thickest metatarsal and carries much of the body weight when standing.
What do the names metacarpal and metatarsal mean?
Meta means beyond: the metacarpals lie beyond the carpus (wrist) and the metatarsals beyond the tarsus (ankle), in the middle part of the hand and the foot.
The bones compared
- First metacarpal bone
- Second metacarpal bone
- Third metacarpal bone
- Fourth metacarpal bone
- Fifth metacarpal bone
- First metatarsal bone
- Second metatarsal bone
- Third metatarsal bone
- Fourth metatarsal bone
- Fifth metatarsal bone
Joints they form
Other comparisons
- Radius vs ulna
- Tibia vs fibula
- Cervical vs thoracic vs lumbar vertebrae
- Atlas vs axis (C1 and C2)
- Femur vs humerus
- Clavicle vs scapula
- Maxilla vs mandible
- Scaphoid vs navicular bone
- Carpals vs tarsals
- True vs false vs floating ribs
Skeleton
Read more
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Once the 3D model loads you can turn it and select each part.