Parts of a Hand
Hands are made up of more bones and moving parts than most other areas of the body. When they’re healthy, these parts all work together. They perform a large number of tasks. Hands do everything from very delicate movements to feats of strength.
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Bones are hard tissues that give your hand shape and stability.
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Phalanges are the finger bones.
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Metacarpals are the hand bones.
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Carpals are the wrist bones.
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Joints are places where bones fit together, allowing movement.
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Ligaments are soft tissues that connect bone to bone and stabilize your joints.
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Muscles are soft tissues that contract (tighten) and relax to move your hand.
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The synovial lining produces the fluid inside your joints that makes movement smooth.
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Volar plates are hard tissues that stabilize the joints, keeping fingers from bending backward.
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Tendon sheaths are fluid-filled tubes that surround, protect, and guide the tendons.
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Tendons are cordlike soft tissues that connect muscle to bone.
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Blood vessels carry blood to and from your hand.
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Nerves send and receive messages, allowing you to feel and helping to coordinate movement.
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The palmar fascia is a firm layer of soft tissue that stabilizes the palm of your hand.
