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Metacarpi: meaning, definitions and examples

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metacarpi

 

[ ˌmɛtəˈkɑːrpaɪ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

anatomy

Metacarpi refers to the five long bones in the human hand that are located between the wrist and the fingers. They play a crucial role in the structure and function of the hand, allowing for a wide range of motion and dexterity.

Examples of usage

  • The metacarpi connect the wrist to the fingers.
  • Fractures of the metacarpi can lead to pain and limited movement.
  • During surgery, the surgeon may need to reposition the metacarpi.
  • The alignment of the metacarpi is vital for proper hand function.

Translations

Translations of the word "metacarpi" in other languages:

🇵🇹 metacarpos

🇮🇳 मेटाकार्पस

🇩🇪 Mittelhandknochen

🇮🇩 metakarpus

🇺🇦 метакарп

🇵🇱 kości śródręcza

🇯🇵 中手骨 (ちゅうしゅこつ)

🇫🇷 métacarpe

🇪🇸 metacarpos

🇹🇷 metakarp

🇰🇷 중수골 (중수골)

🇸🇦 عظام المشط

🇨🇿 záprstní kosti

🇸🇰 záprstné kosti

🇨🇳 掌骨

🇸🇮 metakarpi

🇮🇸 miðhandarbein

🇰🇿 метакарп

🇬🇪 მეტაკარპი

🇦🇿 metakarp

🇲🇽 metacarpos

Word origin

The term 'metacarpi' is derived from the Latin 'metacarpus', which itself comes from the Greek 'metakarpós'. The prefix 'meta-' means 'beyond' or 'after', while 'carpus' refers to the wrist. Thus, metacarpus literally translates to 'beyond the wrist', indicating the position of these bones in relation to the wrist. The word has been used in medical and anatomical contexts since the Renaissance period, when anatomists began to develop more precise terminology for studying the human body. Its structure and significance were better understood through the advancements in both anatomy and surgery, and it has remained an important term in medical terminology ever since.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,390, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.