Topics

Topic

design image
Intermetacarpal joints

The intermetacarpal joints are articulations between the bases of the second to fifth metacarpal bones of the hand. They form part of the complex architecture of the carpometacarpal region and contribute to the stability and coordinated movement of the metacarpals during grasping and fine motor activities.

These joints are important in hand anatomy, biomechanics, trauma evaluation, and musculoskeletal imaging.

Synonyms

  • Intermetacarpal articulations

  • Intermetacarpal joints of the hand

Location

  • Situated between the bases of the second to fifth metacarpal bones

  • Located distal to the carpometacarpal joints

  • Form transverse connections across the dorsal aspect of the hand

  • Absent between the first and second metacarpals

  • Deep to the extensor tendons on the dorsum of the hand

Anatomical components

  • Joint type:

    • Plane synovial joints

  • Articular surfaces:

    • Facets on the bases of adjacent metacarpals

  • Joint capsule:

    • Thin fibrous capsule enclosing each joint

  • Ligamentous support:

    • Dorsal intermetacarpal ligaments

    • Palmar intermetacarpal ligaments

    • Interosseous ligaments

Relations

Dorsally:

  • Extensor tendons and dorsal interossei muscles

Palmarly:

  • Palmar interossei muscles

  • Deep transverse metacarpal ligament (distally related)

Laterally and medially:

  • Adjacent metacarpal bones

Proximally:

  • Carpometacarpal joints

Distally:

  • Metacarpal shafts

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (PA and oblique hand views):

  • Intermetacarpal joints: Narrow radiolucent joint spaces between metacarpal bases

  • Joint alignment: Parallel and symmetric

  • Cortical margins: Smooth and sharply defined

  • Best visualized on: Oblique projections

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Joint spaces: Clearly defined gaps between metacarpal bases

  • Articular surfaces: Smooth cortical margins

  • Trabecular bone: Normal cancellous architecture

  • Spatial detail: Excellent for evaluating subtle contour and joint congruity

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Bone marrow: High signal intensity in metacarpal bases

  • Cortical bone: Low signal

  • Joint spaces: Low-signal clefts between bones

T2-weighted images:

  • Joint fluid: High signal when present

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate signal

  • Surrounding soft tissues: Intermediate-to-high signal

STIR:

  • Fat suppression: Uniform suppression of marrow fat

  • Joint recesses: Bright signal

  • Ligaments: Low-signal bands spanning adjacent metacarpals

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Joint spaces: High contrast between fluid and surrounding tissues

  • Ligaments: Well visualized as low-signal structures

MRI image

Intermetacarpal joints mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Intermetacarpal joints mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000_00001