fourth metacarpal bone
{{Infobox Bone
|Name = Fourth metacarpal bone
|Latin = os metacarpale IV
|Image = Fourth metacarpal bone (left hand) 01 palmar view.png
|Caption = Fourth metacarpal of the left hand (shown in red). Palmar view.
|Image2 = Gray232.png
|Caption2 = The fourth metacarpal. (Left.)
|Origins =
|Insertions =
|Articulations =
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The fourth metacarpal bone (metacarpal bone of the ring finger) is shorter and smaller than the third.
The base is small and quadrilateral; its superior surface presents two facets, a large one medially for articulation with the hamate, and a small one laterally for the capitate.
On the radial side are two oval facets, for articulation with the third metacarpal; and on the ulnar side a single concave facet, for the fifth metacarpal.
Clinical relevance
A shortened fourth metacarpal bone can be a symptom of Kallmann syndrome, a genetic condition which results in the failure to commence or the non-completion of puberty.
A short fourth metacarpal bone can also be found in Turner syndrome, a disorder involving sex chromosomes.
A fracture of the fourth and/or fifth metacarpal bones transverse neck secondary due to axial loading is known as a boxer's fracture.Shultz, S. J., Houglum, P. A., Perrin, D. H. (2010). Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries. Chicago: Human Kinetics
Ossification
The ossification process begins in the shaft during prenatal life, and in the head between 11th and 37th months.{{cite journal|last=Balachandran|first=Ajay|author2=Anooj Krishna|author3= Moumitha Kartha|author4= Libu G. K.|author5= Liza John|author6= Krishnan B|title=A Study of Ossification of heads of 2nd to 5th Metacarpals in Forensic Age Estimation in the Kerala Population|journal=Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences|date=30 December 2013|volume=2|issue=52|pages=10165–10171|doi=10.14260/jemds/1751|url=http://www.jemds.com/data_pdf/dr%20ajay%20balachandran.pdf|access-date=26 December 2013|doi-access=free}}
Additional images
File:Fourth metacarpal bone (left hand) - animation01.gif|Fourth metacarpal bone of the left hand (shown in red). Animation.
File:Fourth metacarpal bone (left hand) - animation02.gif|Fourth metacarpal bone of the left hand. Close up.
File:Gray219 - Fourth metacarpal bone.png|Palmar view of the left hand (fourth metacarpal shown in yellow).
File:Gray220 - Fourth metacarpal bone.png|Dorsal view of the left hand (fourth metacarpal shown in yellow).
File:Neck Fracture of the Fourth Metacarpal Bone.png|A fractured right hand fourth metacarpal (boxer's fracture).
See also
References
{{Gray's}}
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{{Commons category|Fourth metacarpal bone}}
{{Bones of upper extremity}}
{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}