First Known Use: 1676
Dictionary
metacarpus
noun meta·car·pus \ˌme-tə-ˈkär-pəs\
Definition of METACARPUS
: the part of the hand or forefoot that contains the metacarpals
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Origin of METACARPUS
New Latin
Medical Dictionary
metacarpus
noun meta·car·pus \ˌmet-ə-ˈkär-pəs\
Medical Definition of METACARPUS
: the part of the human hand or the front foot in quadrupeds between the carpus and the phalanges that contains five more or less elongated bones when all the digits are present (as in humans) but is modified in many animals by the loss or reduction of some bones or the fusing of adjacent bones
Illustration of METACARPUS
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