Hand bones and ligaments. Artwork of the bones and ligaments (white, joining bones) of the hand and the wrist joint from the rear (dorsal) side. There are eight wrist (carpal) bones. The carpal bones articulate with the bones of the forearm, the ulna (bottom left) and the radius (bottom right) to form the wrist joint. From the carpal bones the five metacarpals of the back of the hand join to the phalanges, the finger bones. The thumb (left) has two phalanges, while the fingers have three. For a sequence showing hand anatomy, see C016/7004 to C016/7007.