Anatomy study note · Upper limb

Metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the hand

The knuckle (metacarpophalangeal, MCP) joints are synovial condyloid joints; the finger (interphalangeal, IP) joints are synovial hinge joints.

Key points

• MCP = condyloid; IP = hinge.
• Collateral ligaments: taut in flexion, lax in extension.
• Deep transverse metacarpal ligament joins MCP 2–5.
• Dorsal interossei ABduct, palmar ADduct (PAD/DAB), relative to the middle finger.
• Lumbricals: flex MCP, extend IP.
• Joint: from mesenchyme between bone ends.
• Synovial cavity forms in the middle layer.
• Synovial membrane: type A (phagocytic) + type B (secretory) cells.
• Joint surfaces: hyaline cartilage, no perichondrium.

The full note in the atlas also covers

Features · Action · Histology · Development · Clinical notes

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Written from

• Snell’s Clinical Anatomy by Regions, 10th ed., ch. 3, PDF pp. 422–426
• Inderbir Singh’s Human Embryology, ch. 10, PDF p. 144
• BRS Cell Biology & Histology, 7th ed., ch. 7, PDF pp. 117–120, 131

More from the upper limb

• Musculocutaneous nerve
• Nerve to subclavius
• Palmar aponeurosis
• Palmaris longus
• Pectoral nerves
• Pectoralis major
• Pectoralis minor
• Phalanges of the hand
• Pronator quadratus
• Pronator teres
• Radial artery
• Radial nerve

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