proximal part of the manus or hand of the wing; fusion of the 6 distal carpal (wrist) bones together with the 4 metacarpal (hand) bones, a shape that gives the bone strength and stability; the wing digits are connected to the distal end, together forming the manus or hand; primary feathers P1-P6 attach to the carpometacarpus by ligaments and tendons; photo © Idaho Virtual Museum