Female Hand, Posterior View

Description

Dorsal (posterior) anatomy of the female hand (manus) is presented with the skin intact, allowing the metacarpals to read as subtle longitudinal ridges from the bases at the carpus to the metacarpal heads at the knuckles. The digits extend distally from the metacarpophalangeal joints, with the index and little finger forming the lateral and medial borders of the hand in anatomical position. Across the dorsum, the extensor tendon contours can be appreciated superficially as they course distally toward the proximal phalanges, lying posterior to the metacarpals and centered over each ray. A posterior hand view matters because many clinically relevant findings present dorsally, where soft tissue coverage is thin and bony alignment is easy to judge. Metacarpal neck fractures (classically the fifth, a boxer’s fracture) often produce dorsal angulation and knuckle flattening that are assessed from this surface, and dorsal wrist ganglion cysts arise near the scapholunate interval and can alter the normal dorsal contour. For tendon anatomy, the dorsum is also where extensor tendon lacerations and sagittal band injuries manifest with loss of metacarpophalangeal extension and tendon subluxation. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and surface anatomy teaching to link palpable dorsal landmarks, metacarpal alignment, and extensor tendon topography, or in clinical education materials for emergency medicine, orthopedics, and hand therapy focused on inspection findings after trauma. It also suits patient-facing orthopedic brochures where dorsal swelling patterns and knuckle profile changes need clear depiction without dissection. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.