Standing, sitting, or lying supine
Anterior to the hand.
May I touch your hand? (or point to the demonstrated area).
Please bend and straighten your thumb (or demonstrate).
The metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb is formed by the articulation of the metacarpal bone with the
proximal phalanx of the thumb. With the patient relaxed, palpate the convex metacarpal bone as it
articulates with the concave proximal phalanx. Palpate the joint during thumb flexion and extension motions,
at which time probably both the metacarpophalangeal and the interphalangeal joints will move together.
If guided, some people can flex just the metacarpophalangeal joint.
VH ñ close up of the anterior hand skeleton, no muscles