Multiple Chondromas of Phalanges and Metacarpalsin a boy æt.
Apart from this there is little deformity, as the adjacent metacarpals act as natural splints and tend to retain the fragments in position.
In this way the adjoining metacarpals are utilised as side splints.
Fractures of the metacarpals of the fingers are comparatively common.
In the other Artiodactyla however the third and fourth metacarpals are almost always united, though indications of their separate origin remain.
Thus in the Suina the second and fifth digits, though smaller than the third and fourth, are well developed and all four metacarpals are distinct.
In the remaining marsupials the second and thirdmetacarpals and digits are very slender, and are enclosed within a common integument.
They are connected with the carpus by cartilage, and the articulations between the several phalanges, and between the metacarpals and phalanges are also cartilaginous.
In the Tragulina too all four metacarpals are developed, and in Dorcatherium the third and fourth commonly remain distinct as in the Suina.
In all other birds the digits are modified, the metacarpals being commonly fused and the phalanges reduced in number.
The metacarpalsare contracted in the middle and expanded at either end.
Small splint bones representing the second and fourth metacarpals are attached to the upper part of the third metacarpal.
Each of the metacarpals is seen in the young animal to have its distal end formed by a prominent epiphysis, and each of the phalanges, except those bearing the claws, has a similar epiphysis at its proximal end.
In the adult bird the hand is in a much modified condition; only the first three digits are represented, and the metacarpals are all fused with one another and with the distal carpalia to form the =carpo-metacarpus=.
The space available for metacarpals probably could not have contained more than the four that are recognized.
The four metacarpals are slightly expanded proximally and distally.
Their metacarpal bones are four in number, and are all distinct, in which respect they differ from the peccaries, in which the central metacarpals and metatarsals are fused into a solid bone.
In the pig the metacarpals of the fore and little fingers are produced from the carpus or wrist, or, as is popularly termed in the case of these animals, the knee.
It follows from what has been said that the digit which persists in the equine species should be considered as the third finger, and that the rudimentary metacarpals represent lateral digits considerably atrophied.
The principal metacarpal consists of two metacarpals fused together; on this account the bone is longitudinally marked in the median line by a slight depression which marks the junction of the two bones of which it is formed.
The rudimentary metacarpalsare vestiges of atrophied digits, as will be explained further on.
In some ruminants (certain species of chevrotains) the coalescence does not take place, and the two metacarpals remain separate.
We already know that, in the latter, the metacarpals and the digits are equally reduced in number; the same is the case for the metatarsals and the toes.
The number ofmetacarpals and digits diminishes in proportion as the limbs cease to be organs of prehension, and become more exclusively organs of support and locomotion.
The metacarpalsof the second and third digits run tolerably close together, and form the firm support of the anterior margin of the wing.
Beyond the metacarpals are the smaller joints or phalanges of the digits, two or three to each digit.
Third and fourthmetacarpals and metatarsals confluent into cannon-bones (fig.
The middle metacarpalsand metatarsals generally confluent, the outer ones (second and fifth) slender but complete, i.
The metacarpals and metatarsals are generally distinct (fig.
Third and fourth metacarpals and metatarsals (which are alone present) fused into cannon-bones for the greater part of their length, but diverging inferiorly (fig.
The facet for the wing metacarpal on the carpus is clearly recognised, but as a rule there is no surface with which the small metacarpals can be separately articulated.
It is worthy of remark that in Bats, which are so suggestive of Pterodactyles in some features of the hand, the metacarpals and phalanges are in the same straight line; so that in this respect the bat is more like the bird.
In the fore-feet the middlemetacarpals are separate, and the lateral less perfect metacarpals have toes.
And, as already mentioned, the union of the two middlemetacarpals culminates in the Camel, Ox, etc.
Thus the metacarpals and metatarsals were not fused to form a cannon bone, and the two lateral digits were represented by splint rudiments of metacarpals and metatarsals.
In Capreolus, Hydropotes, Moschus, Alces, Rangifer, and Pudua there are considerable remains of the lower parts of metacarpals II.
In some of such cases there is not the slightest trace of the union of the separate metacarpals and phalanges.
But as the middle metacarpals are fused in Tragulus (though separate in Hyomoschus) they are a stage further than are the Pigs, in the direction of the typical Ruminants.
These latter are simply Pigs in which the two central metacarpals and the terminal hoofs are completely fused with one another.
At the same time the functional middle metacarpals push aside the rudiments and, forming a broad surface for that purpose, articulate with the magnum and unciform bones to the exclusion of the rudiments.
The fusedmetacarpals and metatarsals diverge somewhat at their distal ends.
Series of metacarpals and metatarsals of Camelidae, to show secular and progressive increase in size.
The pelvis "is most like that of the bear," the metacarpals and the tibia, and some other bones, resemble those of the Hyaena.
In all there are but two functional digits on the feet, and the metacarpals and metatarsals of these are fused.
The twometacarpals that are developed are very long and closely apposed; they have hence a remarkably pig-like aspect, and justify its name.
As a general rule the third and fourth metacarpals and metatarsals become united to form a cannon bone.
The limbs are constituted on the Traguline plan; in the fore-limbs the middle metacarpals are quite free from each other, and the more diminutive lateral digits are complete.
The above list will hopefully give you a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "metacarpals" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this word.
