Question

1. Which of the following is NOT true about the hand?

   		The lateral digit is the thumb.
   		There are 3 phalanges on all 5 digits
   		When you move your fingers, you are moving your phalanges.
   		The number of phalanges on one hand is 14
   		The proximal row of phalanges articulate with the metacarpals.

1. The greater and lesser tubercles are projections seen on the _____.

   		ulna
   		humerus
   		radius
   		scapula

Answer 1

Statement 1. The lateral digit is the thumb

Status: TRUE

Explanation: anatomically the word lateral means situated towards the sides. Since in the forearms, thumb or the pollex is located at the extreme side, it is said to be lateral.

Statement 2. There are 3 phalanges on all 5 digits

Status: NOT TRUE

Explanation: In each forearm of the human apendicular skeleton, there are a total of five(5) digits and each forearm has a total of 14 phalanges within the five digits. These phalanges are the bones which permits the restricted movement of the digits.

The distribution of the 14 phalanges goes as:

Thumb: 2 phalanges

Remaining 4 digits(4 fingers): 3 phalanges each

Thus, the statement that there are 3 phalanges on all the 5 digits is not true as the thumb has only 2 phalanges.

Statement 3. When you move your fingers, you are moving your phalanges

Status: TRUE

Explanation: Fingers of the forearm are said to be digits; 5 in number. They are in turn made of a total of 14 phalanges (bones) in each forearm. It is known that the fingers in human skeleton do not have any muscles which could direct them their movement. Hence, the movements within the fingers are attributed due to the phalanges which remains attached together with the help of the joints.

Statement 4. The number of phalanges in one hand is 14

Status: TRUE

Explanation: Each forearm in the apendicular skeleton of humans has a total of 14 phalanges. Their distribution is as follows;

Thumb: 2 phalanges

Remaining 4 digits9fingers): 3 phalanges each

Statement 5. The proximal row of the phalanges articulate with the metacarpals

Status: TRUE

Explanation: The distribution of the bones in the fore arm is as below;

Humerus: 1

Radio-ulna: 1 each

Carpals: 8

Metacarplas:5

Phalanges: 14

From their anatomical distribution, it thus becomes very clear that the proximal end of each phalange in turn remains associated with the metacarpals.

Statement 6: The greater and lesser tubercles are projections seen on the Humerus

Explanation: The humerus is the forearm bone which bears some depressions called as the greater and lesser tubercles in order to remain attached to the scapula and the radius thereby constituting the fore arm bones.