hand

the extremity of the upper limb below the wrist, which has a highly complex structure and an 'opposable' thumb, which is unique to human beings. The human hand is highly developed in terms of structure, nervous supply and function, and communicates with a large area on the surface of the BRAIN . It is capable of performing numerous functions with a high degree of precision. When there is brain damage and PARALYSIS , the uses of the hand tend to be lost earlier and more permanently compared to movements in the leg and face. The skeletal structure of the hand consists of eight small carpal bones in the wrist (see CARPUS ), five METACARPAL BONES in the region of the palm and three PHALANGES in each finger.