Fifth metacarpal (right) (Os metacarpale quintum)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The metacarpal of the little 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. The slenderest and most mobile, its saddle base with the hamate allowing the little finger to close across the palm toward the thumb.
Clinical notes
The boxer fracture at its neck is the commonest metacarpal fracture after a punch, needing early reduction to preserve fist mechanics.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Fifth metacarpal (right)?
The metacarpal of the little 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. The slenderest and most mobile, its saddle base with the hamate allowing the little finger to close across the palm toward the thumb.
Why is the Fifth metacarpal (right) clinically important?
The boxer fracture at its neck is the commonest metacarpal fracture after a punch, needing early reduction to preserve fist mechanics.
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