Advanced Metacarpal Bones Quiz

Q1. A boxer's fracture most commonly involves which part of which metacarpal?

• Base of the first metacarpal
• Neck of the fifth metacarpal
• Head of the third metacarpal
• Shaft of the second metacarpal

Q2. Which fracture is an intra-articular fracture at the base of the first metacarpal, typically associated with carpometacarpal subluxation or dislocation?

• Colles fracture
• Boxer's fracture
• Bennett fracture
• Smith fracture

Q3. Which injury describes a comminuted intra-articular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal?

• Rolando fracture
• Galeazzi fracture
• Bennett fracture
• Scaphoid waist fracture

Q4. Which muscle contributes to displacement of the metacarpal shaft fragment in a Bennett fracture?

• Extensor pollicis longus
• Flexor pollicis longus
• Opponens pollicis
• Abductor pollicis longus

Q5. Why is the first metacarpal particularly important for opposition of the thumb?

• It is rigidly fused to the trapezium
• It articulates directly with the radius
• Its saddle articulation with the trapezium permits extensive multiplanar movement
• It contains an additional middle phalanx

Q6. Why are the second and third carpometacarpal joints relatively immobile compared with the fourth and fifth?

• Their bases are tightly interlocked with the distal carpal row and strongly stabilized
• They lack carpometacarpal ligaments
• They are fused to the proximal phalanges
• Their bases do not articulate with carpal bones

Q7. Greater mobility of the fourth and fifth metacarpals contributes most directly to which hand function?

• Pronation of the forearm
• Cupping of the palm during gripping
• Radial deviation at the wrist only
• Extension of the elbow

Q8. The dorsal interossei arise primarily from which metacarpal surfaces?

• Only the heads of the first and fifth metacarpals
• Only the palmar surfaces of the distal phalanges
• The dorsal surfaces of the carpal bones only
• Adjacent sides of neighboring metacarpals

Q9. Why is rotational alignment important when treating a metacarpal fracture?

• Malrotation causes the radius to dislocate from the ulna
• Malrotation causes fusion of the carpal bones
• Malrotation can cause digital overlap during finger flexion
• Malrotation prevents elbow extension

Q10. Which description best summarizes the functional organization of the metacarpals?

• They connect the carpus to the digits while combining central stability with peripheral mobility
• They form a completely rigid unit between the radius and distal phalanges
• They form the proximal carpal row and directly articulate with the radius
• They function only as attachment sites and do not participate in joints