Base of Third Metacarpal Bone

Description

The base of third metacarpal bone is the expanded, proximal end of the bone. It is the proximal continuation of its body and contains the:

—styloid process of third metacarpal bone;

—proximal articular facet of third metacarpal bone;

—second metacarpal articular facet of third metacarpal bone;

—fourth metacarpal articular facet of third metacarpal bone.

The base of third metacarpal bone provides an origin site for the oblique head of adductor pollicis muscle, and insertion sites for the flexor carpi radialis and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles. It also provides attachment sites for the:

—palmar metacarpal ligaments;

—dorsal metacarpal ligaments;

—palmar carpometacarpal ligaments;

—dorsal carpometacarpal ligaments.