98 



TEE CAT. 



[chap. 1Y. 



the distal row. It articulates sliglitly with the fourth, hut mainly 

 with the fifth metatarsal. Its upper surface is narrow and convex. 

 Its palmar surface developes a small process which is called the 

 " palmar process." 



Fig. 50.— Bones of Medivs Digit. 



rn. Magnum. 



inc. Metaiarpal. 



s. Sesamoid. 



j)i. Proximal plialanx. 



jf'. Median iilialanx. 



]fi. Distal phalanx. 



a. Its ajiex embraced by claw. 



b. Sheatli of bone enclosint; root of 



externally. 



claw 



p/.0 



jir 



Fig. CO.— VlUlTK'AL SKCriON THROUGH BONES 



OF Au.M, Wrist, Pollicx, and Inuk.x, to show 



Epiphv.sks. 



i-iuc. Tlie cjiiiihysis of themetacari>alof thepollex 



•mc. That of the index. 



})' e. Tluitof iiroxinial phalanx of poUex and index 



2<2t'. That of seeoiid jilialanx of index. 



j)C Tliat of pisiform. 



cu. That of radius. 



er. That of ulna. 



I, II, II, IV, and V. The digits. 



§ 7. The JiETACARPUs consists of four elongated, and one short, 

 matacarpal bones, each supporting a digit (toe) at its distal end. 



Each metacarpal has its proximal end, or base, specially moulded 

 so as to fit that part of the surface of the carpus which it adjoins. 

 The distal end of each is in the form of a roumled head. 



The metacarpals are curved so as to he sliglitly concave, from 

 above downwards, on their palmar aspect. The dorsal surface of 

 each is slightly more flattened than is the oppo.site side. 



The first metacarpal (that of the pollox) is loss than half the 

 length of the shortest of the othcr.'^, and difi'crs from them by its 

 mode of ossification, its epiphysis being situate only at its proximal 



