Carpals are the 8 wrist bones and metacarpals are the 5 palm bones of each hand; tarsals are the 7 ankle bones and metatarsals are the 5 sole bones of each foot. Phalanges are the finger and toe bones, 14 in each hand and 14 in each foot. Memory hook: "Wrist has a Car-park of 8 (Carpals), Ankle has a Tar road of 7 (Tarsals)" — Carpals 8, Tarsals 7.
Bone counts for each hand (carpals 8, metacarpals 5, phalanges 14 = 27) and each foot (tarsals 7, metatarsals 5, phalanges 14 = 26), matching NCERT numbers.
Your doubts, answered
What is the difference between carpals and tarsals?
Carpals are the wrist bones of the hand and there are 8 of them in each wrist. Tarsals are the ankle bones of the foot and there are 7 of them in each ankle. Simple rule: Carpals = 8 (wrist), Tarsals = 7 (ankle). This exact number difference is the most common NEET question, so remember 8 and 7.
What is the difference between metacarpals and metatarsals?
Metacarpals are the 5 palm bones of each hand, lying between the carpals and the finger bones. Metatarsals are the 5 sole bones of each foot, lying between the tarsals and the toe bones. Both are 5 in number, which is easy to remember. The prefix 'carp' means wrist/hand side and 'tars' means ankle/foot side.
How many phalanges are there in each hand and each foot?
There are 14 phalanges in each hand and 14 phalanges in each foot. Each finger and toe has 3 phalanges, except the thumb and the big toe which have only 2 each. So (4 digits x 3) + (1 thumb x 2) = 12 + 2 = 14. NCERT states 14 phalanges per limb clearly.
In what order do these bones lie from the arm to the fingertips?
In the hand the order is: forearm bones (radius and ulna) then carpals (wrist), then metacarpals (palm), then phalanges (fingers). In the foot the order is: leg bones (tibia and fibula) then tarsals (ankle), then metatarsals (sole), then phalanges (toes). Learning this sequence stops you from mixing up which bone comes where.
Are carpals, metacarpals and phalanges part of the axial or appendicular skeleton?
They are part of the appendicular skeleton. The appendicular skeleton includes the limb bones and the girdles. The axial skeleton is the skull, vertebral column, ribs and sternum. Carpals, tarsals, metacarpals, metatarsals and phalanges are all limb bones, so they are appendicular.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ Carpals and tarsals both have 8 bones. ✓ Carpals (wrist) have 8 bones, but tarsals (ankle) have only 7 bones. 🧠 NEET loves swapping 8 and 7. Fix it: Carpals=8 (wrist, more bones for fine movement), Tarsals=7 (ankle). Metacarpals and metatarsals are both 5; phalanges are 14 in each limb.
Real NEET questions
2023
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:
A · (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)
B · (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I) ✓
C · (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(IV)
D · (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(III)
Solution: Palm bones are the metacarpals (A-II), wrist bones are the carpals (B-III), ankle bones are the tarsals (C-IV), and digit (finger/toe) bones are the phalanges (D-I). This gives (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I), option B. NCERT: carpals (wrist), metacarpals (palm), tarsals (ankle), phalanges (digits).
2019
Match the following joints with the bones involved: List I (a) Gliding joint (b) Hinge joint (c) Pivot joint (d) Saddle joint. List II (i) Between carpal and metacarpal of thumb (ii) Between Atlas and Axis (iii) Between the carpals (iv) Between Humerus and Ulna. Select the correct option:
A · (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i) ✓
B · (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
C · (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i)
D · (a)-(i), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iv)
Solution: Gliding joint lies between the carpals (a-iii); hinge joint is between humerus and ulna at the elbow (b-iv); pivot joint is between atlas and axis (c-ii); saddle joint is between the carpal and metacarpal of the thumb (d-i). This matches option A. Note the thumb's carpal-metacarpal joint is the classic saddle joint example.
Solved Locomotion and Movement NEET PYQs
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
How many carpals, metacarpals and phalanges are in one hand?
One hand has 8 carpals, 5 metacarpals and 14 phalanges, giving 27 bones per hand.
How many tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges are in one foot?
One foot has 7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals and 14 phalanges, giving 26 bones per foot.
Which bones make the wrist and which make the ankle?
The wrist is made of carpals (8 bones) and the ankle is made of tarsals (7 bones). Do not confuse the two counts.
What type of joint is between the carpal and metacarpal of the thumb?
It is a saddle joint, which allows the thumb to move in two planes. This is a favourite NEET match-the-column point.
Are these bones the same in whales, bats and humans?
Yes. Whales, bats, cheetah and humans all have humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges in their forelimbs. This shared pattern is an example of homologous organs and divergent evolution.
