Science & STEM

Hand Bones Quiz: Name the Carpals, Metacarpals, and Phalanges

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This hand bones quiz helps you practice naming carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges, and see how they connect with the radius and ulna. Get instant feedback, spot gaps, and build speed for class or exams. When you finish, try our carpal bones quiz or explore the hand anatomy quiz for deeper practice.

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1How many bones are in the human hand, including carpal, metacarpal, and phalanges?
2How many carpal bones are present in one human wrist?
3Which of these is NOT a carpal bone?
4How many phalanges are found in one finger (excluding the thumb)?
5The bone at the base of the thumb that articulates directly with the radius is the:
6The anatomical snuffbox is a surface landmark that overlies which carpal bone?
7Which metacarpal corresponds to the middle finger?
8How many bones make up the thumb, including both its phalanges?
9The carpal bone that articulates with the third metacarpal is the:
10The hook (hamulus) of the hamate serves as an attachment for which structure?
11Which carpal bone articulates directly with the ulna?
12The scaphoid bone is part of which carpal row?
13The capitate bone articulates distally with which metacarpal?
14The pisiform is a sesamoid bone that develops within the tendon of which muscle?
15The distal radioulnar joint is stabilized by which structure?
16Which carpal bone is located directly between the trapezium and the capitate?
17Which carpal bone has a hook (hamulus) that can be palpated on the palmar medial side of the wrist?
18Avascular necrosis is a known complication of fracture to which carpal bone?
19Which ligament is the primary stabilizer between the scaphoid and lunate bones?
20Which carpal bone is most prone to anterior (volar) dislocation?
21The carpometacarpal joint of the little finger (5th) allows increased mobility due to articulation with which carpal bone?
22The capitate articulates proximally with which two carpal bones?
23The tubercle of the trapezium serves as an attachment for which intrinsic muscle of the hand?
24Proximally, the hamate bone articulates with which two carpal bones?
25Which carpal bone does not have any muscle attachments?
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Major Hand Bones -

    After completing the bones of hand quiz, you will be able to accurately name each bone in the hand, from the carpals to the phalanges.

  2. Differentiate Carpal Bones -

    You will distinguish between the eight wrist bones, enhancing your understanding of wrist anatomy for the wrist bones quiz section.

  3. Locate Metacarpals and Phalanges -

    You will pinpoint the metacarpal and phalangeal bones in the palm and fingers, reinforcing your knowledge of bones in the hand quiz.

  4. Contrast Ulna and Radius Structures -

    You will compare the ulna and radius, understanding their positions and functions in forearm and hand movement.

  5. Apply Bone Knowledge Clinically -

    You will apply your newfound understanding of hand bones in clinical or educational contexts, solidifying your mastery through the hand bones quiz.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Carpal Bones Mnemonic -

    Use "Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle" to remember the eight carpal bones in order: Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate, as outlined in Gray's Anatomy. This handy mnemonic boosts recall for any wrist bones quiz and highlights the scaphoid's vulnerability to fractures in the anatomical snuffbox. Regular repetition cements your knowledge for both bones of hand quiz success and clinical practice.

  2. Metacarpal Structure & Numbering -

    The five metacarpals are numbered I - V from thumb to little finger, each featuring a base, shaft, and head as detailed in Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy. Recognizing this pattern is essential for any hand bone quiz and helps you identify fracture locations or dislocations. Remember that the first metacarpal's unique saddle joint enables thumb opposition, a key concept in hand bones quiz scenarios.

  3. Phalangeal Anatomy -

    Each finger (digits II - V) has proximal, middle, and distal phalanges, while the thumb (digit I) only has proximal and distal phalanges, a fact regularly tested in bones in the hand quiz as described by the Journal of Hand Surgery. Knowing the head-base-shaft orientation for each phalanx is crucial for x-ray interpretation in a hand bone quiz. A simple trick is to visualize each phalanx as a "pizza slice" with a round head and a flat base to keep the orientation straight.

  4. Distal Radioulnar & Wrist Joint -

    The distal radioulnar joint works with the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) to stabilize the connection between the ulna, radius, and carpal bones, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Grasping the interaction of radius-lunate and scaphoid alignments sharpens your performance on any wrist bones quiz. Understanding pronation and supination mechanics will give you confidence when questions about arm and hand articulation appear.

  5. Clinical Correlations & Common Injuries -

    Scaphoid fractures and lunate dislocations are key clinical scenarios frequently featured in a hand bone quiz or hand bones quiz and studied in orthopaedic journals. Recognizing symptoms like anatomical snuffbox tenderness or acute carpal tunnel signs bolsters both your quiz scores and clinical reasoning. Practicing identification of hamate hook injuries or TFCC tears ensures you're ready for any bones of hand quiz challenge.

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Reviewed by
Michael HodgeEdTech Product Lead & Assessment Design SpecialistQuiz Maker
Updated Feb 18, 2026