Week 3

Hands, Wrists, Feet & Ankles

Small Complex Bones
Carpals (8)
Metacarpals (5)
Phalanges
Tarsals (7)
Metatarsals (5)
ðŸ’Ą Hover over cards to flip and reveal details
This Week's Focus
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Master the small bones
This Week's Focus

Many small bones with challenging names. Focus on patterns: both hands and feet have similar organization (carpals/tarsals, metacarpals/metatarsals, phalanges). Use your own hands and feet as study tools!

Learning Strategy

Mnemonics & Pattern Recognition

The Pattern

  • Hand: Carpals → Metacarpals → Phalanges
  • Foot: Tarsals → Metatarsals → Phalanges
  • Both follow the same organizational structure
  • Your own body is your best reference
Website Resources
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Your study toolkit
Website Resources

Built-in Flashcards

Betty Broadbent Flashcards

Digital flashcard system built into your course. Study in short 10-minute sessions multiple times per day.

More Resources
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Additional learning tools
More Resources

Recommended: TeachMeAnatomy

URL: www.teachmeanatomy.info

What to expect: Well-organized written content with clear diagrams. Includes clinical correlations.

Best for: Understanding why bones have specific features and how they function.

How to use: Navigate to The Skeleton → Upper Limb/Lower Limb. Read the overview, then study detailed pages for each bone.

Study Method #3
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Flashcards & Mnemonics
Flashcards & Mnemonics

Use your website's built-in flashcard system! Create memorable phrases for the 8 carpals and 7 tarsals.

Classic Carpal Mnemonic

"Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle"
  • Scaphoid
  • Lunate
  • Triquetrum
  • Pisiform
  • Trapezium
  • Trapezoid
  • Capitate
  • Hamate
Practice Tips
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Daily checklist
Practice Tips
  • Count on your own fingers to learn phalanges (proximal, middle, distal)
  • Remember: thumbs and big toes only have 2 phalanges (no middle)
  • Trace the bones on your own hands and feet with a washable marker
  • Group study: quiz each other while pointing to your own hands/feet

Pro Tip

Your body is your best study tool! Use your hands and feet as living reference models. Physical touch and spatial awareness enhance memory.

Bone Groups
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Organization & patterns
Bone Groups Deep Dive

Hand Bones

  • Carpals (8): Wrist bones in two rows
  • Metacarpals (5): Palm bones, numbered 1-5
  • Phalanges (14): Finger bones

Foot Bones

  • Tarsals (7): Ankle bones including calcaneus & talus
  • Metatarsals (5): Mid-foot bones, numbered 1-5
  • Phalanges (14): Toe bones

Key Pattern: Hands and feet follow parallel structures - once you learn one, the other becomes easier!