Michael R.

Britton

ANATOMY OF THE HAND

2012 All rights reserved.

Carpus

Hyperthenar eminence Thenar eminence

(Lateral Aspect)
Metacarpus Palmar aponeurosis

Side of Hand

(Dorsal Aspect)

Back of Hand

(Palmar Aspect)

Palm of Hand

THE HAND Complex and designed for both brute force and incredible delicacies of touch the hand is a subject of study in itself, like the portrait and its corresponding anatomies. The hand is primarily a surface form of bone and tendons, the mass of its musculature is in the palm. To begin the study of the hand it is well advised to first considers its mass conception of simplified form. The hand is always drawn out from the forearm into the wrist which is the Carpus. From the carpus is the trapezoidal form of the Metacarpus. From the back of the hand, the dorsal aspect (or view) the metacarpus is convex; from the palmar aspect the metacarpus is concave. The fleshy ball of the thumb (palmar aspect) is the Thenar Eminence; the striking side of the hand is the Hyperthenar Eminence. These eminences are shaped by muscles that will be discussed at length later. The triangular sheet of tendinous fibers in the palm is the Palmar Aponeurosis this form is subtly indicated when the hand is stretched out and flexed.

The Carpus proximal row

Triquetral Scaphoid

Lunate Pisiform

(Dorsal Aspect)

Back of Hand

(Palmar Aspect)

Palm of Hand

(Lateral Aspect)

Side of Hand

The Carpus distal row

Capitate Hamate Trapezoid Trapezium Pisiform

(Dorsal Aspect)

Back of Hand

(Palmar Aspect)

Palm of Hand

(Lateral Aspect)

Side of Hand

The Wrist (Carpus) Articulating to the radius and ulna are the eight, various and irregularly shaped, bones of the carpus. These eight bones of the wrist are arranged in two rows: the Proximal and the Distal. In the proximal row, with is the row articulating directly into the radius and ulna, is the Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetral and the Pisiform. The four bones in the distal row are the Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate and the Hamate. Overall the carpus is curved its dorsal aspect is convex, the palmar concave. On the dorsal, or back of the carpus is a depression, towards the radial side of the wrist, between the two rows of carpal bones that is visible when the wrist is flexed. On the palmar side the carpus has two significant bony landmarks: the pisiform on the ulnar side at the base of the hyperthenar eminence, and the tubercles of the trapezium and scaphoid on the radial side at the base of the thenar eminence. Again, these bony projections are most visible when the wrist is flexed.

The Metacarpus

(Dorsal Aspect)

Back of Hand

(Palmar Aspect)

Palm of Hand

(Lateral Aspect)

Side of Hand

The Metacarpus The body of the hand is the Metacarpus which is comprised of the five metacarpal bones. Each metacarpal has articular facets fitting into the distal row of the carpus at its base, or superior extremity. The head of each metacarpal is rounded and articulates with the fingers, which are the phalanges, thus forming the primary knuckles.

The four metacarpals of the fingers display a radially descending relationship to each other from the index finger to the little finger. The heads of the metacarpals describe a curve that is called the Transverse Arch. The fifth metacarpal is the body of the thumb. This metacarpal is isolated from the other four; its base is articulated with the trapezium of the carpus defining the carpometacarpal joint. This provides the thumb with a wide range of movement including its critical oppositional gesture for grasping objects.

The Phalanges (fingers & thumb)

Metacarpophalangeal joint

(Lateral Aspect)

Side of Hand

(Dorsal Aspect)

Back of Hand

(Palmar Aspect)

Palm of Hand

The phalanges are the four fingers and the thumb. The singular term is phalanx. Each finger has three phalanges a proximal, a middle and a distal; the thumb has only two a proximal and a distal. Each phalanx tapers distally and is approximately 2/3 the length of its immediate proximate phalanx. The base of each phalanx is larger than its distal head. The articulating base and head of each phalanx is squarish and defines each transverse arch of the knuckles lines, particulary the proximal and middle phalanges. When the fingers are flexed a groove is noticeable at these interphalangeal joints. All five of the distal phalanges are flattened at their tips where they are embedded with fibrous fat. Anatomically, the primary knuckle joint of the middle finger which is the Metacarpophalangeal Joint is the mid-point of the hands length.

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HYPERTHENAR EMINENCE THENAR EMINENCE

Abductor Pollicis Brevis Flexor Pollicis Brevis Opponens Pollicis (Hidden) Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis Abductor Digiti Minimi Palmaris Brevis Opponens Digiti Minimi (Hidden)

FIRST DORSAL INTEROSSEOUS

THE MUSCLE MASSES OF THE HAND The hand is comprised of both extrinsic and intrinsic muscles. The extrinsic muscles are those of the forearm whose tendons insert into the hand. The intrinsic muscles are those of the hand, or manus, itself. The dorsal aspect, the back of the hand, is bony and tendinous. The palmar aspect has three muscle masses: the Thenar Eminence, the Hypothenar Eminence and the First Dorsal Interosseous muscle. All of these muscles masses are tear-shaped. The thenar eminence is the muscle mass of the thumb. This muscle mass is the abductor pollicis brevis, the flexor pollicis brevis and the opponens pollicis (which is hidden from view). These three muscles constitute the tear-dropped shape of the ball of the thumb. The abductor pollicis brevis is the largest muscle of the thenar eminence: it just overlaps the flexor pollicis brevis and pretty much covers the opponens pollicis. The opponens pollicis is a deep muscle that contributes to the bulk of the thenar eminence. The thenar eminence is wider and thicker than the hypothenar eminence. The hypothenar eminence is an elongated form, narrow and long and situated on the outside edge of the hand and palm it inserts distally on the outside of the little finger. The hypothenar eminence is comprised of four muscles: the abductor digiti minimi, the flexor digiti minimi brevis, the opponens digiti minimi (which is hidden from view) and the palmaris brevis. The individual muscles of the hypothenar eminence are not visibly distinguishable. The inner edge of the hypothenar eminence blends into the concavity of the palm due to the palmar fat.

THE INTRINSIC MUSCLES OF THE HAND

The First Dorsal Interosseous muscle originates on the inside of the shaft of the thumbs metacarpal and the outside edge of the metacarpal shaft of the index finger. It inserts into the outside edge of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. The first dorsal interosseous muscle adducts the finger away from the middle finger. It doesnt adduct the thumb. Adduct means moving towards a common center. The first dorsal interosseous forms the bulging tear-drop mass within the triangular shape of the metacarpus between the thumb and index finger. It is the largest of the four dorsal interosseous muscles (the other three are between the metacarpal bones).

The Adductor Pollicis Transverse Head originates on the palmar aspect of the middlefingers metacarpal and inserts into the base of the thumbs proximal phalanx. The Adductor Pollicis Transverse Head is flat and triangular; it adducts and flexes the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint.

The largest of the thenar muscles is the Abductor Pollicis Brevis which originates on the anterior surface of the carpus at the trapezium and scaphoid. It inserts into the outside edge of the proximal phalanx of the thumb. This flat, triangular and elongated muscle abducts (which means draw away from) the thumb from the palm at the metacarpal joint. It also works to rotate the thumb medially.

The Flexor Pollicis Brevis originates from the palmar aspect of the trapezium, trapezoid and scaphoid of the wrist. It inserts into the base of the outside edge of the thumbs proximal phalanx. This is a small, slender muscle that flexes the proximal phalanx of the thumb and also abducts the thumb away from the fingers. This is the action of the opposable thumb.

The Palmaris Brevis transverses across the hypothenar eminence and inserts into the skin on the ulner (outside) side of the palm. This is a thin, rectangular skin muscle that pulls the skin of the palm towards the middle thus thickening the volume of the hyperthenar eminence deeping the hand when it is cupped.

The largest of the hypothenar muscle mass on the outside edge of the hand is the Abductor Digiti Minimi. It originates from the pisiform of the carpus and inserts into the outside of the proximal phalanx of the little finger. Its purpose is to abduct and flex the little finger at the metacarpophalangeal joint.

The Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis is a narrow muscle that contributes to the mass of the hypothenar eminence. It originates from the medial hook of the hamate and inserts into the palmar base of the proximal phalanx of the little finger and works to flex and assist in abducting it.

Within the back of the hand (the dorsal aspect) between the metacarpal bones of the fingers are the three Dorsal Interosseous muscles that create subtle oblique folds when the fingers are extended. Their movement is highly restricted to a very minimal lateral expansion. Their purpose is to stabilize and strengthen the metacarpus.

Situated deep in the palm of the hand are small muscles called the Lumbricales. They fill the hollow of the palm and do not influence surface form. The hollow of the palm is covered by the strong Palmar Aponeurosis.

The extrinsic muscles of the hand are those of the forearm and, as mentioned previously, only the tendons extend into the hand. These are numerous and complex. Thus they are best understood in the context of the fifteen muscles of the forearm. These forearm muscles have little influence on the palmar surface view. In the dorsal aspect of the hand the Extensor Digitorum is of note. The tendons of the Extensor Digitorum is visible running the length of the fingers, especially when the hand is flexed you will see these tendons running length-wise from the metacarpophalangeal joints through the interphalangeal joints.

Extensor Digitorum

Generally speaking, each finger (the index, middle, ring and little) has one visible tendon of the Extensor Digitorum extending along their length. Anatomically, however, the tendons configuration is more complex and layered in fact, the extensor digitorum is composed of several layers although they are usually seen as just one.

The Extensor Pollicis Longus (Pink) adducts the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint and extends the distal phalanx. The squarish depression on the radial side of the wrist is the snuffbox which is, in large part, formed by the extensor pollicis longus and the Extensor Pollicis Brevis (Blue). The snuffbox is formed when the thumb is extended and these two tendons are prominent. And, finally, the block-like form of the wrist is cuffed by a thick, toughened band of fascia which is the Extensor Retinaculum which holds all of the extrinsic muscles in place.

Extensor Pollicis Brevis

Extensor Pollicis Longus

Extensor Retinaculum

THE SURFACE FORMS OF THE HAND The dorsal aspect (back) of the hand is primarily distinguished by the metacarpals, ligaments (most noticeably the Extensor Digitorum and snuff box) and the veins. Oblique skin folds appear when the fingers (two through five) are pressed together. These folds are the result of the interosseous muscles contracting laterally and pushing the skin upwards. When the thumb is adducted a deep fold is formed and the mass of the first dorsal interosseous is pushed up into a convex mass. As a general rule, when the fingers are extended the usually subtle skin folds of the metacarpus are directed obliquely across the back of the hand towards the outside edge. Extended fingers create oval reliefs that are crossed and transversed by raised wrinkles at the interphalangeal joints. The center of these ovals is quite often concave. Veins are seen only on the dorsal aspect of the hand, not the palm. The Dorsal Venous Network can be roughly described as a downwardly zigzagging loop connecting the cephalic vein on the radial side and the basilic vein on the ulnar side. From these two veins the dorsal metacarpal veins branch off to the fingers (two through five) when they descend between the fingers. (These descending veins are now called the Dorsal Digital Veins.) The dorsal digital vein of the thumb branches off of the cephalic vein at the first metacarpal (on the radial side). The veins on the back of the hand are numerous and, when engorged, quite prominent. When rendering the veins take care of how you want the hands to read. Veins can either be subtly indicated or stressed. Fingernails are hardened skin structures that are double curved and roughly trapezoidal. The base of the fingernail has a small, semi-circular Lunula that is lighter in color. The flattened Cuticle is rendered as a suble form at the base of the nail that extends for a short distance up the sides of the nail. The thumb nail is the largest and often squarish in shape. The little fingers nail is the smallest. The nails of the index, middle and ring finger are approximately similar in size and shape.

Albrecht Durer, Praying Hands

The palmar (also called the Volar) aspect of the hand is comprised mainly of dense fat. There are two primary folds and two accessory folds in the palm. From these four folds there are numerous other folds branching out depending upon both the gesture and volume of flesh in the sitters palm. The Line of the Thumb and laterally bisecting Distal Transverse Furrow (the line of the fingers) are the primary folds. The line of the thumb describes the border of the thenar eminence. It deepens when the thumb is flexed and adducted. The distal transverse furrow crosses the palm proximally from the heads of the metacarpals from the index finger to the ulnar side of the hypothenar eminence. This furrow deepens significantly when the fingers are flexed. The accessory folds are the Longitudinal and Oblique lines. The longitudinal line travels distally through the center of the palm between the thenar and hypothenar eminences beginning almost at the wrist and ending towards the base of the middle finger. The oblique line crosses the palm beginning at the middle of the hypothenar eminence and concludes between the thumb and index finger. The transverse folds at the base of the fingers extend distally beyond the metacarpophalangeal joints (the knuckles) and, thus, the length of the palm is longer than the dorsal aspect of the hand. The skin between the fingers are the Webs. The palmar aspect of the fingers (except for the thumb) are padded. Each phalanx has a fatty, cushioning pad. The thumb has only one distal pad. The tips of the fingers are padded. These distal pads taper towards the fingertips (which are rounded). These pads extend beyond the skeletal phalanges affording them protection. In summation, the human hand is one of the most important conduits of human expression and emotion a figural artist has to work with. They are powerful symbolically and literally and feature in many great works of art in both starring and supporting roles. Understanding the anatomy of the hand will unravel the mysteries of its rather complex and somewhat daunting mechanics and allow you to draw hands with confidence from any aspect lifting your figure drawings and paintings to new heights.

2009. All rights reserved.

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drawing HANDS
Michael R. Britton

All rights reserved.

Drawing Hands
Michael R. Britton
Tackling the hand has always intimidated artists all those fingers twisting and turning; knuckles and veins rippling; and then there is the thumb! Quite likely we either hide the hands, put them into pockets or simply scribble them and hope that no one will notice. This handout distills the hand to its most basic components. If we think of the hand as a collection of rectangles much like blocks of wood the obstacles of drawing the hand are quickly eliminated. Onto these blocks of wood we will add the muscles, tendons and knuckles and, voila, we will have a well resolved hand. First, we have to overcome our symbolic preconception of what the hand looks like. A common error in drawing the hand is the banana finger syndrome. These are fingers lacking any structure no bones, no knuckles, no muscles. Hence such hands are caricatures.

Note the finger; it is seldom straight. The finger bends and changes direction at each knuckled intersection. It is also drawn with straight lines. The proportions of the finger knuckles are always from the larger knuckle to the finger tip.

The thumb is separate and opposite from the fingers. It enjoys a far greater range of movement than the fingers; it can cross the entire palm or extend outwards. The thumb is also critical in picking up things or holding a pencil. Take special note of the ball of the thumb, this is the anchor point from which the thumb is developed.
Page 1

Block in the metacarpus as if it was a rectangular piece of wood. In drawing we must simplify elements to the extreme.

The problem of foreshortening is easily solved by imagining things as cubes and rectangles in perspective.

Do not get trapped in details!

Look for the underlying geometric forms

Page 2

The metacarpus is cupped. It does not naturally lay flat. Try flattening your palm on a table. It takes considerable effort.

Note how the finger joints relate to each other.

The metacarpal bones radiate out from the carpus to form the primary knuckles.
Page 3

From the initial rectangle, visualize the hand as a series of flat planes. This exercise helps you to focus on the way light falls on the hand, and creates a crude, but surprisingly convincing, illusion of three dimensions.

Extreme Foreshortening

Breaking down the forms to rectangular boxes in perspective and plumbing makes extreme foreshortening a much easier task.
Page 4

Basic Proportions of theHand

1/2

1/2

1/2
The knuckles are approximately half-way from the carpus to the finger tips. The first set of finger joints are half-way from the knuckles to the finger tips. The second set of finger joints are half-way from the first set of finger joints to the finger tips.

Beginning to draw the hand

First you have to establish the size of the hand. Mark the heel and the finger tips. Indicate the width of the hand relative to the length. Next indicate the arc of the knuckles, then the finger joints. As you sketch in the gestural arabesque bear in mind the underlying geometry.

Page 5

Block in the big dark. At this stage you should keep the big dark just one value. Dont worry about the light darks, dark darks, etc.

After blocking in, plumb and grid the relationships of the knuckles and finger joints. Develop the metacarpals from the wrist. From there the individual fingers are developed.

Now that the underlying structure is set, model the big lights with a kneaded eraser. Now the arabesque can be refined and corrections made. Drawing is like building a house; dont move in the furniture before youve poured the cement for the foundation!

The veins of the hand appear midway in the metacarpus and dive in between the knuckles. Look closely at your sitters hands. There is often a V or vein trunk just before the first and second knuckle.
Page 6

The hand speaks volumes of who and what the sitter is. And the type of life they lead. The hand is able to perform the most delicate manipulations; it is also a formidable weapon. We gesture with our hands, they add volume to our utterances. Whereas we are trained from an early age to mask our facial expressions the hand is not. It gesticulates and expresses emotion without inhibition. There are a great many variations in hands. To render a manual laborers hands as delicate and refined is absurd. Hands are portraits, they express the sum of an individual. I hope that this booklet aids you in drawing hands. I find them to be utterly fascinating and take great joy in unlocking their mysteries. As complex as a hands gestures may be, it can always, and should, be reduced to simple geometric forms.