Learning anatomy can feel daunting, but there are plenty of ways to make it more engaging and interactive. One great way to help students understand the structure of the human hand is through a hands-on (pun intended!) coloring exercise. By coloring the bones of the hand, students can reinforce their understanding of how these structures fit together and move.

Why the Hand?

The human hand is a marvel of anatomy, containing 27 bones that work together to allow for precise movements. From grasping objects to playing instruments, the hand’s skeletal structure is essential to our daily activities. The bones are divided into three main regions:

1. Carpals (Wrist Bones) – 8 small bones that form the wrist and give it flexibility.
2. Metacarpals (Palm Bones) – 5 bones that form the framework of the hand.
3. Phalanges (Finger Bones) – 14 bones that make up the fingers and thumb.

The Carpals will be the most challenging part of the exercise. Luckily, a mnemonic can help with that!

So Long To Pinky, Here Comes The Thumb!

Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Hamate, Capitate, Trapezoid, Trapezium

To use the mnemonic, locate the scaphoid bone, which is on the thumb side, near the arm bone (radius). Then work your way around the carpals. Each letter (S, L, T, P, H, C, T, T) corresponds to one of the bones.

This exercise isn’t just about coloring—it’s a way to actively engage students in learning anatomy. By using colors to differentiate between the bones, students will develop a mental map of the hand’s structure. They will also improve their ability to recall the specific bones and their relationships. Students can follow up this activity with a coloring of the foot bones. This handout has both the hand and foot bones labeled for reference. I also have an online (remote) activity to help students learn the bones of both the hand and the foot.