Each upper limb (arm to fingers) has 30 bones: 1 humerus (upper arm), then radius and ulna (forearm), then 8 carpals (wrist), 5 metacarpals (palm) and 14 phalanges (fingers). Memory hook: go top to bottom, "Humerus Runs Under Carpals, Making Phalanges" (H, R+U, Carpals, Metacarpals, Phalanges). NEET loves the counts 8-5-14 and the palm-vs-wrist match, so lock those.
Bones of one upper limb from shoulder to fingertips: humerus, radius and ulna, 8 carpals, 5 metacarpals and 14 phalanges, totalling 30 bones (girdle counted separately).
Your doubts, answered
How many bones are in one upper limb?
One upper limb has 30 bones: 1 humerus + 1 radius + 1 ulna + 8 carpals + 5 metacarpals + 14 phalanges. Both upper limbs together = 60 bones. Note the pectoral girdle (clavicle + scapula) is counted separately, not inside these 30.
What is the difference between carpals and metacarpals?
Carpals are the 8 small wrist bones arranged in two rows. Metacarpals are the 5 long bones of the palm, one leading to each finger. Simple rule: carpals = wrist, metacarpals = palm. NEET has asked exactly this match (palm bones = metacarpals, wrist bones = carpals).
Which forearm bone is radius and which is ulna?
In anatomical position (palm facing forward), the radius is on the thumb (lateral) side and the ulna is on the little-finger (medial) side. Both together form the forearm. NCERT lists them as 'radius and ulna', so remember the pair, and radius = thumb side.
How many phalanges are in one hand?
14 phalanges per hand. The thumb has 2 (no middle phalanx) and each of the other four fingers has 3, so 2 + (4 x 3) = 14. Phalanges are the finger bones (digits).
Is the humerus part of the upper limb or the pectoral girdle?
The humerus is part of the upper limb (it is the bone of the upper arm). The pectoral girdle is only the clavicle and scapula, which attach the limb to the axial skeleton. The humerus fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula to form the shoulder joint.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ Palm has 8 carpals and the wrist has 5 metacarpals. ✓ Palm has 5 metacarpals; the wrist has 8 carpals. Order from arm to fingers: humerus, radius, ulna, carpals (8), metacarpals (5), phalanges (14). 🧠 Match palm and wrist correctly, and do not swap the counts.
Real NEET questions
NEET 2023 Phase 2
Match List-I with List-II. List-I: (A) Palm bones (B) Wrist bones (C) Ankle bones (D) Digit bones. List-II: (I) Phalanges (II) Metacarpals (III) Carpals (IV) Tarsals. Choose the correct answer:
