BoneLong bone
Metacarpal 3 (left) — third metacarpal (middle finger)
Os metacarpale tertium sinistra
- Location:
- Hand — metacarpus
Function
Central rigid ray fixed to the capitate; its dorsal styloid process is a surgical landmark for percutaneous pin placement.
Landmarks
- Base
- Shaft
- Head (knuckle)
- Styloid process
Articulations (joints)
- Capitate
- Adjacent metacarpals (interosseous ligaments)
- Proximal phalanx of the middle (metacarpophalangeal joint)
Clinical relevance
Carpometacarpal dislocation of the third ray masquerades as a simple sprain after punching injuries.
Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.