Metacarpal bones Greek form μετακάρπιος. "Metacarpalis", as in "ossa metacarpalia" in the current official Latin nomenclature, "Terminologia Anatomica" is a compound consisting of Latin and Greek parts. The usage of such hybrids in anatomic Latin is disapproved by some. Metacarpal bones In human anatomy, the metacarpal bones or metacarpus, form the intermediate part of the skeletal hand located between the phalanges of the fingers and the carpal bones of the wrist which forms the connection to the forearm. The metacarpal bones are equivalent to the metatarsal bones in the foot. The metacarpals form a transverse arch to which the rigid row of
Traditional Chinese medicines derived from the human body "cruel or foul". Li Shizhen sharply criticized medicinal usage of bone and flesh. In ancient times, people thought it a benevolent deed to bury discarded human bones. Such people thought that they would be rewarded with good. But some alchemists [方伎] collect human bones and use them as a drug with the hope of making a profit from them. Should this be done to those who save people from diseases? Even dogs do not eat the bones of dogs. Why should a human eat the bones of other humans? (52.27, tr. Luo 2003: 4178-9) Under the 52.34 human flesh entry,