Which joints are involved in forming a fist?

Which joints are involved in forming a fist?

• A. Carpometacarpal joints and distal interphalangeal joints
• B. Metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints
• C. Elbow and shoulder joints
• D. Metacarpophalangeal joints and distal interphalangeal joints

Answer: (B)

Forming a fist mainly comes from bending the finger joints that sit closer to the palm. The metacarpophalangeal joints bend to bring the bases of the fingers toward the palm, and the proximal interphalangeal joints bend to fold the fingers at the first crease after the knuckles. This combination tightens the fingers into a fist. The distal interphalangeal joints can also flex a bit as you tighten the grip, but the essential joints for shaping the fist are the MCP and PIP joints. The elbow and shoulder aren’t involved in curling the fingers themselves; they move the arm, not the finger joints that form the fist.

Forming a fist mainly comes from bending the finger joints that sit closer to the palm. The metacarpophalangeal joints bend to bring the bases of the fingers toward the palm, and the proximal interphalangeal joints bend to fold the fingers at the first crease after the knuckles. This combination tightens the fingers into a fist. The distal interphalangeal joints can also flex a bit as you tighten the grip, but the essential joints for shaping the fist are the MCP and PIP joints. The elbow and shoulder aren’t involved in curling the fingers themselves; they move the arm, not the finger joints that form the fist.