metacarpal

Definitions

Examples

• Eight small, bead-like carpal bones connect to the two lower-arm bones—the ulna and the radius—and to the metacarpal bones of the hand.

• The skeletons of the wings of birds, on the other hand, consist of elongated metacarpals, similar to finger bones.

• Rocket has a “cybernetic skeletal structure, enhanced phalange and metacarpal bones, and a genetically augmented cerebral cortex.”

• The great wing finger was bent backward, and only touched the ground where it fitted upon the wing metacarpal bone.

• The metacarpal bones are much longer than the bones of the fore-arm, and about twice the length of the humerus.

• The first digit of the hand in clawed animals has the metacarpal bone short, or shorter than the others.

• Between the first and fifth or wing metacarpal are the three slender metacarpal bones which give attachment to the clawed digits.

• In Pterodactyles the metacarpal bones are, as we have seen, arranged in close contact, and take no part in stretching the wing.