The fourth metacarpal bone (metacarpal bone of the ring finger) is shorter and smaller than the third.
| Fourth metacarpal bone | |
|---|---|
_01_palmar_view.png) Fourth metacarpal of the left hand (shown in red). Palmar view. | |
 The fourth metacarpal. (Left.) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | os metacarpale IV |
| FMA | 23902 |
| Anatomical terms of bone | |
The base is small and quadrilateral; its superior surface presents two facets, a large one medially for articulation with the hamate, and a small one laterally for the capitate.
On the radial side are two oval facets, for articulation with the third metacarpal; and on the ulnar side a single concave facet, for the fifth metacarpal.
Clinical relevance
editA shortened fourth metacarpal bone can be a symptom of Kallmann syndrome, a genetic condition which results in the failure to commence or the non-completion of puberty. A short fourth metacarpal bone can also be found in Turner syndrome, a disorder involving sex chromosomes.
A fracture of the fourth and/or fifth metacarpal bones transverse neck secondary due to axial loading is known as a boxer's fracture.[1]
Ossification
editThe ossification process begins in the shaft during prenatal life, and in the head between 11th and 37th months.[2]
Additional images
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Fourth metacarpal bone of the left hand (shown in red). Animation. -
Fourth metacarpal bone of the left hand. Close up. -
Palmar view of the left hand (fourth metacarpal shown in yellow). -
Dorsal view of the left hand (fourth metacarpal shown in yellow). -
A fractured right hand fourth metacarpal (boxer's fracture).
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See also
editReferences
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This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 228 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ Shultz, S. J., Houglum, P. A., Perrin, D. H. (2010). Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries. Chicago: Human Kinetics
- ^ Balachandran, Ajay; Anooj Krishna; Moumitha Kartha; Libu G. K.; Liza John; Krishnan B (30 December 2013). "A Study of Ossification of heads of 2nd to 5th Metacarpals in Forensic Age Estimation in the Kerala Population" (PDF). Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. 2 (52): 10165–10171. doi:10.14260/jemds/1751. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
