The metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) are condyloid type joints, formed by the reception of the rounded heads of the metacarpal bones into shallow cavities on the proximal ends of the first phalanges. The exception is the thumb, which presents more of the characters of a ginglymoid joint. Arthritis of the MCP is a distinguishing feature of rheumatoid arthritis, as opposed to the distal interphalangeal joint in osteoarthritis.
Metacarpophalangeal articulation and articulations of digit; volar aspect left, ulnar aspect right
Ligaments
Each joint has
- Palmar ligaments of metacarpophalangeal articulations
- Collateral ligaments of metacarpophalangeal articulations
Dorsal surfaces
The dorsal surfaces of these joints are covered by the expansions of the extensor tendons, together with some loose areolar tissue which connects the deep surfaces of the tendons to the bones.
Movements
The movements that occur in these joints are flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and circumduction. The movements of abduction and adduction are very limited, and cannot be performed while the fingers form a fist.
The muscles of flexion and extension are as follows:
Location | Flexion | Extension |
|---|---|---|
Fingers | Flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus, lumbricales, and interossei, assisted in the case of the little finger by the flexor digiti minimi brevis | Extensor digitorum communis, extensor indicis proprius, and extensor digiti minimi muscle |
Thumb | Flexor pollicis longus and brevis | Extensor pollicis longus and brevis |
Attachments:
Last Updated on June 27, 2024
🔗 Knowledge Graph & Clinical Correlates
OrthopaedicsOne Living Semantic Network🛠️ Operative Techniques
- Volar Plate Arthroplasty Hand and Wrist
- Volar Ligament Stabilization of the Unstable Thumb CMC Joint Hand and Wrist
- Traumatic amputations of the fingertip Hand and Wrist
🩺 Clinical Conditions & Indications
- Volar plate injury 1. High-Yield Summary Volar plate injuries of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint represent the most frequent soft-tissue and...
- VATER syndrome 1. High-Yield Summary Condition Definition: VATER association is an acronymic constellation representing a non-random cluster of congenital malformations:...
- Vascular malformations of the hand 1. High-Yield Summary Biological Classification: Vascular malformations are congenital non-neoplastic developmental anomalies of vascular embryogenesis with stable endothelial...
- Ulnar collateral ligament sprain of the thumb 1. High-Yield Summary Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is a common and...
🔬 Anatomy, Pathology & Diagnostics
- Wrist joint Wrist and Carpus
- Vertebra prominens Surface Anatomy Lumbar Spine
- Vastus medialis Femoral Shaft
- Vastus lateralis Femoral Shaft