Where the third metacarpal bone sits in the skeleton
The third metacarpal bone is the 3rd of the five metacarpals of the palm, in line with the middle finger. It joins the wrist bones at its base and the middle finger's proximal phalanx at its head. The knuckles that stand out when you make a fist are the heads of the metacarpals. Its base meets the capitate. A small styloid process projects from the back of its base.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of the skeleton is the third metacarpal bone in?
The third metacarpal bone 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 third metacarpal bone or a pair?
The third metacarpal bone is paired: there is one on the left and one on the right, and this page covers both.
Which wrist bone does the third metacarpal meet?
The capitate, the largest of the wrist bones.
Other bones of the hand
- Scaphoid
- Lunate
- Triquetral
- Pisiform
- Trapezium
- Trapezoid
- Capitate
- Hamate
- First metacarpal bone
- Second 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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