How many bones are in the hand?

The human hand has 19 bones, according to Health Pages. The five metacarpal bones are the bones of the palm, while the 14 phalanges are the bones of the fingers. Each finger has three phalanges, and the thumb has two.

Health Pages explains the 19 bones form 14 joints. The metacarpophalangeal joints, or knuckles, join the palm and the fingers, while the interphalangeal joints are the joints of the fingers. Between the metacarpals and the phalanges are synovial joints, and articular cartilage covers these bones. Articular cartilage assists with movement. The muscles, tendons and ligaments also assist in movement of the hand and fingers.