| Third metacarpal bone | |
|---|---|
_01_palmar_view.png) Third metacarpal of the left hand (shown in red). Palmar view. | |
 The left third metacarpal. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | os metacarpale III |
| TA2 | 1269 |
| FMA | 23901 |
| Anatomical terms of bone | |
Thethird metacarpal bone (metacarpal bone of themiddle finger) is a little smaller than the second.
The dorsal aspect of its base presents on its radial side a pyramidal eminence, thestyloid process, which extends upward behind thecapitate; immediately distal to this is a rough surface for the attachment of theextensor carpi radialis brevis muscle.
The carpal articular facet is concave behind, flat in front, and articulates with the capitate.
On the radial side is a smooth, concave facet for articulation with thesecond metacarpal, and on the ulnar side two small oval facets for thefourth metacarpal.
The ossification process begins in the shaft during prenatal life, and in the head between the 11th and 27th months.[1]
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This article incorporates text in thepublic domain frompage 228 of the 20th edition ofGray's Anatomy(1918)
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