Hands are made up of more bones and moving parts than most other areas of the body. When they’re healthy, these parts all work together. They do a large number of tasks. Hands can make very delicate movements. They can also do tasks that need great strength.
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Bones. These are hard tissues that give your hand shape and stability.
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Phalanges. These are the finger bones.
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Metacarpals. These are the middle part of the hand bones.
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Carpals. These are the wrist bones.
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Joints. These are places where bones fit together, allowing movement.
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Ligaments. These are soft tissues that connect bone to bone and stabilize your joints.
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Muscles. These are soft tissues that tighten and relax to move your hand.
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Synovial lining. This makes the fluid inside your joints that helps make movement smooth.
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Volar plates. These are hard tissues that stabilize the joints, keeping fingers from bending backward.
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Tendon sheaths. These are fluid-filled tubes that surround, protect, and guide the tendons.
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Tendons. These are cord-like soft tissues that connect muscle to bone.
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Blood vessels. These carry blood to and from your hand.
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Nerves. These send and receive messages, allowing you to feel and direct movement.
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Palmar fascia. This is a firm layer of soft tissue that stabilizes the palm of your hand.
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