Fourth metacarpal (right) (Os metacarpale quartum)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The metacarpal of the ring finger in the right hand: a tubular shaft with a basal end resting on the carpals and a rounded head articulating with the proximal phalanx. Slightly shorter than its neighbours; its base joint with the hamate gives the ring finger its reach flexibility.
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 Fourth metacarpal (right)?
The metacarpal of the ring finger in the right hand: a tubular shaft with a basal end resting on the carpals and a rounded head articulating with the proximal phalanx. Slightly shorter than its neighbours; its base joint with the hamate gives the ring finger its reach flexibility.
Why is the Fourth metacarpal (right) 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