Metacarpophalangeal joint
Metacarpophalangeal Joint
The Metacarpophalangeal Joint (pronounced: meh-tuh-kar-poh-fuh-lan-juh-l joint), often abbreviated as MCP or MCPJ, is a type of joint found in the human hand.
Etymology
The term "Metacarpophalangeal Joint" is derived from the Greek words "meta" meaning "after", "carpus" meaning "wrist", and "phalanx" meaning "line of battle". This refers to the joint's location in the hand, which is after the wrist and before the phalanges (fingers).
Anatomy
The Metacarpophalangeal Joint is the joint at the base of each finger, where the metacarpal bones of the hand meet the phalanges (finger bones). There are five MCP joints in each hand, one for each finger. These joints are classified as condyloid joints, which allow movement in two planes: flexion-extension and abduction-adduction.
Function
The primary function of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint is to facilitate movement of the fingers. They allow for flexion (bending), extension (straightening), abduction (spreading apart), and adduction (bringing together) of the fingers. This range of motion is essential for many daily activities, such as gripping objects, typing, and hand gestures.
Related Terms
- Arthritis: A condition that can affect the Metacarpophalangeal Joints, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
- Metacarpal: The long bones in the hand that connect the wrist to the Metacarpophalangeal Joints.
- Phalanges: The bones of the fingers that are connected by the Metacarpophalangeal Joints.
- Condyloid Joint: The type of joint that the Metacarpophalangeal Joint is classified as.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Metacarpophalangeal joint
- Wikipedia's article - Metacarpophalangeal joint
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