Third metacarpal (left) (Os metacarpale tertium)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The metacarpal of the middle finger in the left hand: a tubular shaft with a basal end resting on the carpals and a rounded head articulating with the proximal phalanx. Articulating with the capitate at the central axis, it makes the middle finger the keystone of the fist.
Clinical notes
Metacarpal head fractures from direct impact deform the joint surface and stiffen flexion if left unreduced.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Third metacarpal (left)?
The metacarpal of the middle finger in the left hand: a tubular shaft with a basal end resting on the carpals and a rounded head articulating with the proximal phalanx. Articulating with the capitate at the central axis, it makes the middle finger the keystone of the fist.
Why is the Third metacarpal (left) clinically important?
Metacarpal head fractures from direct impact deform the joint surface and stiffen flexion if left unreduced.
Source & license
Derived from Z-Anatomy (Gauthier Kervyn et al.), CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/); upstream geometry from BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science. license details