THE HAND. 199 



which joins the second metacarpal bone, and, on the reversed 

 side, two round facets, which are contiguous to the fourth me- 

 tacarpal bone. In regard to its lower or phalangial extremity 

 and body, this bone resembles closely the one last described. 



Of the Fourth Metacarpal Bone. This bone is placed upon 

 the unciforme, and has a very small articulating surface with 

 the magnum: it is much smaller and shorter than the third 

 metacarpal, and readily distinguishable by these circumstances. 

 The carpal surface, by which it joins the unciforme, is trian- 

 gular and slightly convex; its radial edge touches the magnum. 

 Continuous with this edge are two small faces, slightly convex, 

 which join the contiguous faces of the third metacarpal bone. 

 On the reversed side of the fourth metacarpal is an oblong face 

 which joins the carpal end of the fifth metacarpal bone. In 

 regard to its body and phalangial extremity, this bone resem- 

 bles the two preceding, and therefore does not require a parti- 

 cular description. 



Of the Fifth Metacarpal Bone. It is placed upon the unci- 

 forme exterior to the last, and is both smaller and shorter than 

 the fourth. The carpal extremity presents a cylindroid and 

 slightly convex face, for articulating with the unciforme, at the 

 radial margin of which is an oblong facet, for joining the fourth 

 metacarpal: just below the outer margin is a small tuberosity, 

 into which is inserted the tendon of the extensor ulnaris. The 

 lower or phalangial extremity, like that of the others, presents 

 a convex articular face, extended in front for the flexion of the 

 first phalanx. The body also corresponds with that of the 

 others, excepting that it is more flat in front. 



Of the Phalanges. 



The fingers are named numerically, beginning at the fore 

 finger; they are also named from their functions, as Indicator, 

 Impudicus, Annularis, and Auricularis. 



Each finger has three bones in it, called its phalanges: the 

 bone adjoining the metacarpus is the first phalanx, the middle 

 bone is the second, and the other the third. 



