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Metacarpal: meaning, definitions and examples

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metacarpal

 

[ ˌmɛtəˈkɑːrpəl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

anatomy of hand

Metacarpal refers to the five long bones in the hand that are located between the wrist (carpals) and the fingers (phalanges). These bones form the skeletal structure of the palm and are vital for the movement and function of the hand.

Synonyms

hand bone, metacarpus

Examples of usage

  • The metacarpal bones provide stability to the hand.
  • Fractures of the metacarpal are common in sports injuries.
  • Surgeons often repair broken metacarpals through surgery.

Translations

Translations of the word "metacarpal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 metacarpo

🇮🇳 मैटाकर्पल

🇩🇪 Mittelhandknochen

🇮🇩 metakarpus

🇺🇦 п’ясткова кістка

🇵🇱 kość śródręcza

🇯🇵 中手骨 (ちゅうしゅこつ)

🇫🇷 métacarpien

🇪🇸 metacarpo

🇹🇷 metakarp

🇰🇷 중수골 (중수골)

🇸🇦 عظام المشط

🇨🇿 záprstní kost

🇸🇰 zápästná kosť

🇨🇳 掌骨 (zhǎnggǔ)

🇸🇮 metakarpalna kost

🇮🇸 miðhandarbein

🇰🇿 метакарп

🇬🇪 მეტაკარპი

🇦🇿 metakarp

🇲🇽 metacarpo

Etymology

The term 'metacarpal' is derived from the Greek word 'meta-', meaning 'beyond', and 'karpos', meaning 'wrist'. The use of the term dates back to early anatomical studies where the structure of the hand was first documented. Its Latin translation also reflects similar meanings, indicating the anatomical location beyond the wrist. The understanding of these bones has evolved significantly, especially in the fields of medicine and physical therapy, as they relate to hand functionality and movement, particularly for those involved in manual labor or athletics.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,458, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.