Which statement does not apply to the metacarpophalangeal joints?

Which statement does not apply to the metacarpophalangeal joints?

• A. Hinge
• B. Condyloid
• C. Biaxial
• D. Uniaxial

Answer: (A)

The key concept is that the metacarpophalangeal joints are condyloid (ellipsoid) and operate as biaxial joints. They enable movement in two planes: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction, with some rotation available when the finger flexes. A hinge joint, by contrast, is uniaxial and mostly allows movement in a single plane. Because MP joints provide two independent directions of movement rather than just one, the statement describing them as hinge joints does not apply.

The key concept is that the metacarpophalangeal joints are condyloid (ellipsoid) and operate as biaxial joints. They enable movement in two planes: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction, with some rotation available when the finger flexes. A hinge joint, by contrast, is uniaxial and mostly allows movement in a single plane. Because MP joints provide two independent directions of movement rather than just one, the statement describing them as hinge joints does not apply.