With the patient in true anatomic position, on which side of the hand is the fifth metacarpal located?

With the patient in true anatomic position, on which side of the hand is the fifth metacarpal located?

• A. Lateral
• B. Medial
• C. Distal
• D. Proximal

Answer: (B)

In true anatomical position, medial means closer to the midline of the body, while lateral means farther from it. The fifth metacarpal corresponds to the little finger, which sits on the ulnar side of the hand toward the midline. So its location is medial. Distal and proximal describe distance along the limb (toward the fingers or toward the wrist), not which side of the hand something lies, so they don’t apply to this question.

In true anatomical position, medial means closer to the midline of the body, while lateral means farther from it. The fifth metacarpal corresponds to the little finger, which sits on the ulnar side of the hand toward the midline. So its location is medial. Distal and proximal describe distance along the limb (toward the fingers or toward the wrist), not which side of the hand something lies, so they don’t apply to this question.