In human anatomy, the trapezoid bone (lesser multangular bone; os multangulum minus) is a bone in the hands. It is the smallest bone in the distal row . It may be known by its wedge-shaped form, the broad end of the wedge constituting the dorsal , the narrow end the volar surface ; and by its having four articular facets touching each other, and separated by sharp edges. The superior surface, quadrilateral, smooth, and slightly concave, articulates with the navicular. The inferior surface articulates with the proximal end of the second metacarpal bone; it is convex from side to side, concave from before backward and subdivided by an elevated ridge into two unequal facets. The dorsal and volar surfaces are rough for the attachment of ligaments, the former being the larger of the two. The lateral surface, convex and smooth, articulates with the greater multangular. The medial surface is concave and smooth in front, for articulation with the capitate; rough behind, for the attachment of an interosseous ligament.

The left lesser multangular bone.

Articulations

The lesser multangular articulates with four bones: the navicular proximally, second metacarpal distally, greater multangular laterally, and capitate medially.

See also

• Bone terminology
• Terms for anatomical location
• Trapezoid distinguishing meanings of trapezoid and trapezium in American English and British English

This article is based on an entry from the 1918 edition of Gray's Anatomy, which is in the public domain. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.