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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Hand Bones Quiz: Name the Carpals, Metacarpals, and Phalanges

Quick, free Bones of the Hand Quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Eric N KleinmuntzUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art hand bones wrist bones ulna radius quiz illustration on golden yellow background

This hand bones quiz helps you practice naming carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges, and see how they connect with the radius and ulna. Get instant feedback, spot gaps, and build speed for class or exams. When you finish, try our carpal bones quiz or explore the hand anatomy quiz for deeper practice.

How many bones are in the human hand, including carpal, metacarpal, and phalanges?
27
25
24
26
The human hand comprises 8 carpal bones, 5 metacarpal bones, and 14 phalanges, totaling 27 bones. This count excludes the distal forearm bones (radius and ulna) and focuses solely on the hand's skeletal elements. Knowing the total number of bones helps in understanding hand mechanics and clinical assessments.
How many carpal bones are present in one human wrist?
8
9
7
6
There are eight carpal bones arranged in two rows of four forming the wrist. These bones allow for the complex range of wrist movements and act as a connection between the forearm and hand. Their arrangement facilitates load transfer and stability.
Which of these is NOT a carpal bone?
Pisiform
Metacarpal III
Triquetrum
Trapezoid
The carpal bones are eight small bones of the wrist; metacarpals are part of the palm and not carpal bones. Metacarpal III refers to the third metacarpal which supports the middle finger. Distinguishing between carpal and metacarpal bones is fundamental in hand anatomy.
How many phalanges are found in one finger (excluding the thumb)?
3
4
5
2
Each finger (index through little finger) has three phalanges: proximal, middle, and distal. The thumb is unique in having only two phalanges. Recognizing this helps in understanding joint function and fracture patterns.
The bone at the base of the thumb that articulates directly with the radius is the:
Trapezium
Trapezoid
Hamate
Capitate
The trapezium is the most lateral bone in the distal carpal row and forms a saddle joint with the first metacarpal (thumb base). It also articulates with the scaphoid proximally and the first metacarpal distally, indirectly transmitting load to the radius.
The anatomical snuffbox is a surface landmark that overlies which carpal bone?
Scaphoid
Lunate
Hamate
Capitate
The anatomical snuffbox is a triangular depression on the lateral wrist bordered by tendons of the thumb. Its floor is formed primarily by the scaphoid bone. Clinically, tenderness here often indicates a scaphoid fracture.
Which metacarpal corresponds to the middle finger?
1st metacarpal
3rd metacarpal
2nd metacarpal
4th metacarpal
Metacarpals are numbered one through five from the thumb to the little finger. The third metacarpal supports the middle finger and articulates proximally with the capitate and distally with the proximal phalanx of the middle finger.
How many bones make up the thumb, including both its phalanges?
1
3
4
2
The thumb consists of two phalanges - proximal and distal - unlike the other fingers which have three. Its unique structure allows for opposition and powerful grasping functions.
The carpal bone that articulates with the third metacarpal is the:
Capitate
Hamate
Scaphoid
Lunate
The capitate is the largest carpal bone, centrally located in the distal row, and articulates distally with the base of the third metacarpal. It also connects proximally with the scaphoid and lunate, transmitting force from the hand to the forearm.
The hook (hamulus) of the hamate serves as an attachment for which structure?
Radial collateral ligament
Extensor expansion
Flexor retinaculum
Palmar aponeurosis
The hamate hook projects anteriorly from its body and serves as the ulnar boundary of the carpal tunnel, anchoring the flexor retinaculum. This bony prominence can be palpated on the medial palm and is clinically significant in hamate fractures.
Which carpal bone articulates directly with the ulna?
Scaphoid
Triquetrum
Lunate
None of the carpal bones
No carpal bone directly articulates with the ulna; the ulna is separated from the proximal carpal row by the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). This fibrocartilage cushions and stabilizes the distal radioulnar and ulnocarpal joints.
The scaphoid bone is part of which carpal row?
Medial row
Proximal row
Distal row
Intermediate row
The scaphoid lies in the proximal row of carpal bones beside the lunate and triquetrum. Its position makes it vulnerable to fracture with a fall on an outstretched hand and important for wrist stability.
The capitate bone articulates distally with which metacarpal?
3rd metacarpal
2nd metacarpal
4th metacarpal
5th metacarpal
The capitate sits centrally in the distal row of carpals and articulates distally with the base of the third metacarpal. This articulation is key to the axial load transmission through the hand.
The pisiform is a sesamoid bone that develops within the tendon of which muscle?
Flexor carpi radialis
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Flexor digitorum profundus
Palmaris longus
The pisiform forms within the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris and acts to increase the muscle's leverage. It is the only sesamoid bone in the carpus and lies anterior to the triquetrum.
The distal radioulnar joint is stabilized by which structure?
Interosseous membrane
Triangular fibrocartilage
Transverse carpal ligament
Glenoid labrum
The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) cushions and stabilizes the distal radioulnar joint between the ulna and the carpal bones. It also supports load transfer from the hand to the forearm. Injury to the TFCC can lead to ulnar-sided wrist pain.
Which carpal bone is located directly between the trapezium and the capitate?
Lunate
Triquetrum
Trapezoid
Pisiform
The trapezoid is a small wedge-shaped bone in the distal carpal row, positioned between the trapezium laterally and the capitate medially. It articulates with the second metacarpal distally.
Which carpal bone has a hook (hamulus) that can be palpated on the palmar medial side of the wrist?
Trapezium
Hamate
Pisiform
Capitate
The hook of the hamate projects anteriorly from the body of the hamate and forms the ulnar boundary of the carpal tunnel. It can be palpated on the medial side of the palm and is a key landmark in ultrasonography and hand surgery.
Avascular necrosis is a known complication of fracture to which carpal bone?
Scaphoid
Trapezoid
Capitate
Lunate
The scaphoid's blood supply enters distally, making the proximal pole susceptible to avascular necrosis after a fracture. Poor healing and nonunion are common clinical issues with scaphoid fractures.
Which ligament is the primary stabilizer between the scaphoid and lunate bones?
Ulnar collateral ligament
Lunotriquetral ligament
Scapholunate ligament
Transverse carpal ligament
The scapholunate interosseous ligament connects the scaphoid and lunate and is vital for carpal stability. Injury to this ligament can lead to scapholunate dissociation and chronic wrist pain.
Which carpal bone is most prone to anterior (volar) dislocation?
Pisiform
Lunate
Hamate
Capitate
The lunate can dislocate volarly into the carpal tunnel due to its shape and ligamentous attachments. Volar lunate dislocations are orthopedic emergencies because they can compress the median nerve.
The carpometacarpal joint of the little finger (5th) allows increased mobility due to articulation with which carpal bone?
Trapezium
Hamate
Trapezoid
Capitate
The base of the fifth metacarpal articulates with the hamate, permitting a notable degree of flexion and rotation. This increased mobility supports power grips and adaptation to irregular objects.
The capitate articulates proximally with which two carpal bones?
Scaphoid and Lunate
Trapezium and Trapezoid
Triquetrum and Hamate
Hamate and Pisiform
The capitate's proximal surface articulates with both the scaphoid laterally and the lunate medially. These articulations are key to the stable central column of the wrist.
The tubercle of the trapezium serves as an attachment for which intrinsic muscle of the hand?
Opponens pollicis
Adductor pollicis
Abductor pollicis brevis
Flexor pollicis brevis
The trapezial tubercle provides attachment for the tendon of the flexor pollicis brevis, one of the thenar muscles controlling thumb flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joint. Its location is clinically relevant for thenar muscle function.
Proximally, the hamate bone articulates with which two carpal bones?
Capitate and Pisiform
Trapezoid and Trapezium
Lunate and Triquetrum
Scaphoid and Lunate
The hamate sits in the distal row and its proximal surface contacts both the lunate and the triquetrum. These articulations help form the ulnar side of the carpus.
Which carpal bone does not have any muscle attachments?
Scaphoid
Capitate
Pisiform
Lunate
The lunate is centrally located in the proximal carpal row and does not serve as an attachment point for intrinsic or extrinsic hand muscles. Its role is primarily in transmitting forces and enabling wrist motion. Understanding muscle attachments is crucial for surgical approaches and biomechanics.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Major Hand Bones -

    After completing the bones of hand quiz, you will be able to accurately name each bone in the hand, from the carpals to the phalanges.

  2. Differentiate Carpal Bones -

    You will distinguish between the eight wrist bones, enhancing your understanding of wrist anatomy for the wrist bones quiz section.

  3. Locate Metacarpals and Phalanges -

    You will pinpoint the metacarpal and phalangeal bones in the palm and fingers, reinforcing your knowledge of bones in the hand quiz.

  4. Contrast Ulna and Radius Structures -

    You will compare the ulna and radius, understanding their positions and functions in forearm and hand movement.

  5. Apply Bone Knowledge Clinically -

    You will apply your newfound understanding of hand bones in clinical or educational contexts, solidifying your mastery through the hand bones quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Carpal Bones Mnemonic -

    Use "Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle" to remember the eight carpal bones in order: Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate, as outlined in Gray's Anatomy. This handy mnemonic boosts recall for any wrist bones quiz and highlights the scaphoid's vulnerability to fractures in the anatomical snuffbox. Regular repetition cements your knowledge for both bones of hand quiz success and clinical practice.

  2. Metacarpal Structure & Numbering -

    The five metacarpals are numbered I - V from thumb to little finger, each featuring a base, shaft, and head as detailed in Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy. Recognizing this pattern is essential for any hand bone quiz and helps you identify fracture locations or dislocations. Remember that the first metacarpal's unique saddle joint enables thumb opposition, a key concept in hand bones quiz scenarios.

  3. Phalangeal Anatomy -

    Each finger (digits II - V) has proximal, middle, and distal phalanges, while the thumb (digit I) only has proximal and distal phalanges, a fact regularly tested in bones in the hand quiz as described by the Journal of Hand Surgery. Knowing the head-base-shaft orientation for each phalanx is crucial for x-ray interpretation in a hand bone quiz. A simple trick is to visualize each phalanx as a "pizza slice" with a round head and a flat base to keep the orientation straight.

  4. Distal Radioulnar & Wrist Joint -

    The distal radioulnar joint works with the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) to stabilize the connection between the ulna, radius, and carpal bones, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Grasping the interaction of radius-lunate and scaphoid alignments sharpens your performance on any wrist bones quiz. Understanding pronation and supination mechanics will give you confidence when questions about arm and hand articulation appear.

  5. Clinical Correlations & Common Injuries -

    Scaphoid fractures and lunate dislocations are key clinical scenarios frequently featured in a hand bone quiz or hand bones quiz and studied in orthopaedic journals. Recognizing symptoms like anatomical snuffbox tenderness or acute carpal tunnel signs bolsters both your quiz scores and clinical reasoning. Practicing identification of hamate hook injuries or TFCC tears ensures you're ready for any bones of hand quiz challenge.

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