A single fused bone in birds formed by the fusion of the wrist (carpal) and hand (metacarpal) bones, essential for wing structure and flight.
From carpus (wrist) and metacarpus (hand) combined. This anatomical term reflects the unique skeletal adaptation in birds that distinguishes their wings from mammalian forelimbs.
The carpometacarpus is the secret ingredient in bird flight—by fusing all those tiny hand and wrist bones into one super-strong structure, birds created the perfect wing support system!
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