The hand features five long bones which extend between the |carpals| of the wrist and the |phalanges| (finger bones). The |metacarpals| are numbered beginning with that of the thumb (#1). The head (distal end) of each metacarpal bone is bulbous at the site of articulation with the |phalanges|, and features small projections or knobs to which the ~ligaments~ of the fingers and palm attach.