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metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP)
Structure:
- the condyloid type of synovial joints between the heads of the metacarpals & the bases of the proximal phalanges
- the palmar aspects of the metacarpal heads are partially divided, so the joint is nearly bicondylar
Function:
- movements in two planes:
a) flexion-extension
b) adduction-abduction
Arterial supply:
- deep digital artery
Pathology:
- commonly involved in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2nd & 3rd metacarpophalangeal joints involved in hemochromatosis [3]
- rash with papules & plaques over the knuckles (metacarpophalangeal joints) & proximal interphalangeal joints (Gottron's papules) in dermatomyositis
General
synovial joint (diarthrosis)
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999.
- Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th edition, KL Moore &
AF Dalley (eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia,
PA 1999.
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 17,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2015
Component-of
hand
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