Hand

Palm of left hand, showing position of skin creases and bones, and surface markings for the volar arches.

The hand is an extremity possessed by most bipedal mammals. The hand typically contains extensions called fingers and a set of muscle groups that allow for more complicated and precise movements in comparison to the other extremities. The primary purpose of the hand is to allow an organism to physically manipulate objects in its environment. Humans and other primates use the hand as a means for building and controlling tools. The dexterity of the human hand and the inventions it let mankind produce are just some of the reasons the human hand is one of God's greatest gifts to us.

## Anatomy[edit]

The human hand consists of 27 bones \- two rows of carpals forming the wrist (consisting of the scaphoid, lunate, triquetral and pisiform proximally, and the trapezoid, trapezium, capitate and hamate distally), followed by five metacarpals forming the palm, and 3 phalanges for each finger (proximal, distal and intermediate) and 2 phalanges for the thumb. These bones provide the attachments for the tendons of the long muscles originating from the humerus and the radius and ulnar bones of the forearm, as well as the short muscles of the hand.

The wrist is controlled by 4 muscles - the extensor carpi radialis and ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis and ulnaris. Attached to the carpal bones of the wrist, these muscles allow for flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and circumduction. The fingers and thumb are also largely controlled by muscles arising in the forearm, their tendons passing under retinaculums (strong fibrous bands at joints, forming the carpal tunnel ) at the wrist to prevent them bow stringing during flexion and extension. Small muscles in the hand provide additional mobility to the digits, such as the interossei muscles, located between the metacarpals, which abduct and adduct the fingers, and the various muscles of the thenar eminence which provide the ability to oppose thumb and forefinger.

These muscles are innervated by the ulnar, radial and median nerves.[1]

## The Hand Throughout The Animal Kingdom[edit]

Structures in the human hand are remarkably similar among mammals, birds and reptiles, including in some fossils. Most mammals have equivalent bones, even whales and bats, although some take a significantly different shape, such as in a horse's hoof.[2] The opposable thumb makes it possible to grasp objects and manipulate tools. Other than humans, the only creatures with opposable thumbs are other primates, such as chimpanzees, although their hands do not have the same dexterity as human hands.[3]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1285060-overview
2. ↑ http://universe-review.ca/I10-82-limbs.jpg
3. ↑ Primate (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

A human left hand (back and palm).