View source for 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 =
}}

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 [[Heredity|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 [[Bone fracture|fracture]] of the fourth and/or [[fifth metacarpal bone]]s transverse neck secondary due to axial loading is known as a [[boxer's fracture]].<ref name = "ERS">Shultz, S. J., Houglum, P. A., Perrin, D. H. (2010). Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries. Chicago: Human Kinetics</ref>

==Ossification==
The ossification process begins in the shaft during prenatal life, and in the head between 11th and 37th months.<ref name=Ajay>{{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}}</ref>

== Additional images ==
<gallery>
 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]]).
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Metacarpus]]
* [[First metacarpal bone]]
* [[Second metacarpal bone]]
* [[Third metacarpal bone]]
* [[Fifth metacarpal bone]]

==References==
{{Gray's}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Fourth metacarpal bone}}

{{Bones of upper extremity}}

[[Category:Bones of the hand]]
[[Category:Metacarpus]]

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