The five metacarpals are collectively known as which singular term?

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Multiple Choice

The five metacarpals are collectively known as which singular term?

Explanation:
Think of how bones are named for a group versus individually. The five bones that form the middle part of the hand between the wrist and fingers are called metacarpals when you're naming the five bones. When you refer to that entire set as a single unit, you use the singular metacarpus. So the term for the collection of five is metacarpus. The other terms don’t fit: metacarpals is the plural form for the five bones; metatarsal refers to the corresponding bones in the foot; navicular is a different bone, not the hand’s metacarpal group.

Think of how bones are named for a group versus individually. The five bones that form the middle part of the hand between the wrist and fingers are called metacarpals when you're naming the five bones. When you refer to that entire set as a single unit, you use the singular metacarpus. So the term for the collection of five is metacarpus. The other terms don’t fit: metacarpals is the plural form for the five bones; metatarsal refers to the corresponding bones in the foot; navicular is a different bone, not the hand’s metacarpal group.

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