What are the bones in the palm of the hand called?

The bones in the palm of the hand are known as the metacarpals. There are five metacarpals, each corresponding to a finger, and they form the skeletal structure of the palm. The metacarpals connect the carpal bones of the wrist to the phalanges, which are the bones found in the fingers. This anatomical arrangement allows for a wide range of movements and dexterity essential for hand function.

The phalanges refer specifically to the bones that make up the fingers themselves, with each finger consisting of multiple phalanges. The metatarsals are the long bones in the foot, and the carpals are the bones that constitute the wrist. Understanding these distinctions is important in anatomy and helps in grasping the complexity of the skeletal structure in both the hand and foot.