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The interactive dog atlas · Skeleton · Forelimb

Metacarpus ossa metacarpalia

The metacarpal bones link the wrist to the toes of the front leg. They stand raised off the ground, nearly vertical, because the dog walks on its toes.

Open in the interactive atlas Guide: Skeleton Worksheet

Educational material, not a diagnostic tool. Written by the Mantrailing România team from veterinary sources we read. Updated 14.11.2026.

Dog in left lateral view — exterior, muscles, skeleton and organs Vector study after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates: a standing dog, head to the left, deep chest and digitigrade limbs. The four layers use the same contour: exterior with body regions, superficial muscles, skeleton and organs.
  1. Metacarpus
  2. Carpal bones
  3. Front digits (toes)
Metacarpus on the atlas drawing, "Skeleton" layer, with the neighbouring structures. Left lateral view, after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates.

Where it is

Between the carpus and the front toes; the segment of the paw raised off the ground.

System
Forelimb
Region
Forelimb

What it is and what it does

The metacarpal bones link the carpus to the toes. Since the dog is digitigrade, the metacarpus stands raised off the ground, nearly vertical, and the weight passes through the toes and pads. Metacarpal I, that of the dewclaw, is much shorter than the others and does not reach the ground.

The illustration shows three metacarpals, schematically; in reality there is one for each toe.

Worth remembering

The bone of the dewclaw is much shorter than the others and does not reach the ground.

Names

  • Also called: metacarpal bones.
  • Latin term: ossa metacarpalia.
  • In Romanian: Metacarpul (Romanian page).

From the same region: Forelimb

All structures, in the atlas · Flashcards: skeleton