Where the capitate sits in the skeleton
The capitate is the largest wrist bone, in the middle of the far row. It articulates with the metacarpal of the middle finger. There is one on each side of the body. Its rounded head fits into the hollow formed by the scaphoid and lunate, which is where its name ("head-shaped") comes from. Besides the third metacarpal it also meets the second and fourth.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of the skeleton is the capitate in?
The capitate is one of the bones of the hand. The hand is made of eight carpal bones, five metacarpals and fourteen phalanges.
How many bones are in the hand?
Each hand has 27 bones: eight carpal bones in the wrist, five metacarpals in the palm and fourteen phalanges in the fingers.
Is there one capitate or a pair?
The capitate is paired: there is one on the left and one on the right, and this page covers both.
Why is it called the capitate?
From the Latin for "head": its rounded upper end fits into the hollow between the scaphoid and lunate.
Other bones of the hand
- Scaphoid
- Lunate
- Triquetral
- Pisiform
- Trapezium
- Trapezoid
- Hamate
- First metacarpal bone
- Second metacarpal bone
- Third metacarpal bone
- Fourth metacarpal bone
- Fifth metacarpal bone
- Proximal phalanx of thumb
- Distal phalanx of thumb
- Proximal phalanx of index finger
- Middle phalanx of index finger
- Distal phalanx of index finger
- Proximal phalanx of middle finger
- Middle phalanx of middle finger
- Distal phalanx of middle finger
- Proximal phalanx of ring finger
- Middle phalanx of ring finger
- Distal phalanx of ring finger
- Proximal phalanx of little finger
- Middle phalanx of little finger
- Distal phalanx of little finger
Compare with similar bones
Bone counts
By region
Read more
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