Where in the body is the "trapezium" bone located?

The "trapezium" is a small irregular-shaped carpal bone found within the hand. The trapezium is found within the distal row of carpal bones, and is directly adjacent to the metacarpal bone of the thumb.

It is one of 8 small carpal bones which make up the wrist joint. It is situated between the wrist and the finger bones in the hand, which are called the first metacarpals. Each of the carpal bones must function correctly to ensure proper hand strength, flexibility, and pain-free articulation.

The rest of the carpal bones include the scaphoid, lunate, triquetra, pisiform, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.

The first 4 of these bones are known as the proximal carpal bones, since they are located closer to the wrist joint. The last 3, as well as the "trapezium", are called the distal carpal bones, and are closer to the hand.

The "trapezium" articulates directly with the scaphoid and the trapezoid bones close to the wrist, and also with the first metacarpal bone of the thumb, towards the hand. Given its hinge-like nature, it is an important bone, despite its small size.

The "trapezium" is the last bone in the row of wrist bones, located beneath the thumb joint. The "trapezium" bone along with the base of the thumb joint forms what is called a carpometacarpal joint, also known as a CMC joint. Specifically, the "trapezium" bone is notable in that it is the subject of a somewhat controversial medical procedure that involves its removal to alleviate severe arthritis pain.