Metacarpal region

In four-legged animals, the metacarpal bones or metacarpus, form the intermediate part of the skeletal hand located between the phalanges of the fingers and the carpal bones. The metacarpal region forms part of the forefeet, and are frequently reduced in number, appropriate to the number of toes. In digitigrade and unguligrade animals, the metacarpals are greatly extended and strengthened, forming an additional segment to the limb, a feature that typically enhances the animal's speed. In both birds and bats, the metacarpals form part of the wing.The metacarpus is more or less vertical in domestic Mammals.

In great Ungulates, the dorsal region (Regio metacarpi dorsalis) is mainly formed by the metacarpal bones.

The other, the palmar region (Regio metacarpi palmaris), has the voluminous flexor tendos of the fingers as base: it is the region of the tendo