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 do a large number of tasks. Hands can make very delicate movements. They can also do tasks that need great strength.

• Bones. These are hard tissues that give your hand shape and stability.

• Phalanges. These are the finger bones.

• Metacarpals. These are the middle part of the hand bones.

• Carpals. These are the wrist bones.

• Joints. These are places where bones fit together, allowing movement.

• Ligaments. These are soft tissues that connect bone to bone and stabilize your joints.

• Muscles. These are soft tissues that tighten and relax to move your hand.

• Synovial lining. This makes the fluid inside your joints that helps make movement smooth.

• Volar plates. These are hard tissues that stabilize the joints, keeping fingers from bending backward.

• Tendon sheaths. These are fluid-filled tubes that surround, protect, and guide the tendons.

• Tendons. These are cord-like soft tissues that connect muscle to bone.

• Blood vessels. These carry blood to and from your hand.

• Nerves. These send and receive messages, allowing you to feel and direct movement.

• Palmar fascia. This is a firm layer of soft tissue that stabilizes the palm of your hand.