Surface Palpation - Elbow, Wrist, and Hand - Joints and Joint Motions
Carpometacarpal Joint of the Thumb
Standing, sitting, or lying supine
 
Anterior to the hand
 
May I touch your hand? ( or point to the demonstrated area ) Please bring your thumb away from and toward your palm, across your palm and back, roll across your palm and back, touch your thumb and little finger and return Ö(or demonstrate and this is much easier when you demonstrate).
The carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is formed by the articulation of the trapezium and the metacarpal bone of the thumb. With the patient relaxed, palpate the trapezium as it articulates with the metacarpal bone. Palpate the joint during thumb abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, medial and lateral rotation, and opposition and reposition motions.
VH ñ close up of the anterior hand skeleton, no muscles