carpometacarpal joints

The carpometacarpal joints of second through fifth digits are arthrodial.

Occasionally the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal joints have a separate synovial membrane.

The synovial membrane for these joints is continuous with that of the carpometacarpal joints.

Early, anatomically correct drawings of the ligaments of the first carpometacarpal joints where produced by .

Besides the metacarpophalangeal joints, the metacarpal bones articulate by carpometacarpal joints as follows:

The movements permitted in the second through fifth carpometacarpal joints is most readily observable in the (distal) heads of the metacarpal bones.

The posterior carpometacarpal ligament consists of a series of bands on the posterior surface of the carpometacarpal joints.

The joint space between trapezium and trapezoid, or that between trapezoid and capitate, may communicate with cavities of the carpometacarpal joints, most commonly the second and third.

The mass occurs in one of the joints between the carpus and metacarpus of the hand, called the carpometacarpal joints, where a small immovable protuberance occurs when this joint becomes swollen or bossed.

The Palmar carpometacarpal ligaments (or volar) are a series of bands on the palmar surface of the carpometacarpal joints that connect the carpal bones to the second through fifth metacarpal bones.

Of the joints between the carpus and metacarpus, the carpometacarpal joints, only the saddle-shaped joint of the thumb offers a high degree of mobility while the opposite is true for the metacarpophalangeal joints.

The prolongation between the greater and lesser multangulars, or that between the lesser multangular and capitate, is, owing to the absence of the interosseous ligament, often continuous with the cavity of the carpometacarpal joints, sometimes of the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpal bones, sometimes of the second and third only.