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.
Bones are hard tissues that give your hand shape and stability.
Phalanges are the finger bones.
Metacarpals are the hand bones.
Carpals are the wrist bones.
Joints are places where bones fit together, allowing movement.
Ligaments are soft tissues that connect bone to bone and stabilize your joints.
Muscles are soft tissues that contract (tighten) and relax to move your hand.
The synovial lining produces the fluid inside your joints that makes movement smooth.
Volar plates are hard tissues that stabilize the joints, keeping fingers from bending backward.
Tendon sheaths are fluid-filled tubes that surround, protect, and guide the tendons.
Tendons are cordlike soft tissues that connect muscle to bone.
Blood vessels carry blood to and from your hand.
Nerves send and receive messages, allowing you to feel and helping to coordinate movement.
The palmar fascia is a firm layer of soft tissue that stabilizes the palm of your hand.