http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Carpus.svg

uberon

carpus bone

UBERON:0001435

In tetrapods, the carpals is the sole cluster of the bones in the wrist between the radius and ulna and the metacarpus. The bones of the carpus do not belong to individual fingers (or toes in quadrupeds), whereas those of the metacarpus do. The corresponding part of the foot is the tarsus. The carpal bones allow the wrist to move and rotate vertically, horizontally and laterally. In human anatomy, the main role of the carpus is to facilitate effective positioning of the hand and powerful use of the extensors and flexors of the forearm, but the mobility of individual carpal bones increase the freedom of movements at the wrist.

• carpometacarpal joint
• intercarpal joint

• metacarpal bone

• carpus pre-cartilage condensation
• carpus cartilage element