THE METACAEPUS. 



225 



longus muscle is attached. The canal for the 

 nutrient artery is directed towards the head of 

 the bone. 



The second metacarpal bone is recognised 

 by its length and its broad and deeply notched 

 base for articulation with the lesser multangular. 

 It has a small half-oval facet for the greater mult- 

 angular on the lateral side of its base, whilst 

 on its medial aspect it 

 presents a narrow vertical 

 strip for the capitate, in 

 front of which there are 

 two half-oval surfaces for 

 the third metacarpal. To 

 the dorsal aspect of the 

 base is attached the tendon 

 of the extensor carpi 

 radialis longus muscle, 

 whilst the flexor carpi 

 radialis is inserted into the 

 volar surface. 



The third metacarpal 

 bone can usually be re- 

 cognised by the pointed 

 styloid process which 

 springs from the dorsum of 

 its base, towards the radial 



Medial 

 side 



Insertion 

 of exten- 

 sor carpi 

 radialis 

 brevis 



Styloid process 



Capitate bone 



Metacarpal 



Proximal 



FIG. 224. THIRD EIGHT METACARPAL BONE. 



NOTE. The bone is represented in the centre of the figure in the position 

 which it occupies in the right hand viewed from the volar aspect, 

 views on either side, and below, represent respectively 

 spending surfaces of the bone turned towards the reader. 



The 

 the corre- 



Medial side 



IV. Metacarpal 



Proxima 



FIG. 225. FOURTH EIGHT METACARPAL BONE. Fia. 226. FIFTH EIGHT METACARPAL BONE. 

 NOTE. The bone in each figure is represented in the centre of the figure in the position which it occupies in the 

 right hand viewed from the volar aspect. The views on either side, and below, represent respectively th 

 corresponding surfaces of the bone turned towards the reader. 



side. On the proximal surface of the base there is a facet for the capitate. 

 On the lateral side there are two half-oval facets for the second metacarpal. On 

 the medial side there are usually two small oval or nearly circular facets for the 



15 



