u/theronk03

So there's been a lot of recent discussion about Montserrat's and Maria's wrists.

So let's take a look at the bones in Montserrat's wrist. I've segmented her left wrist here. You can see that picture above, and you can find the models and segmentation here: https://drive.proton.me/urls/K2MX8TJCD4#wTpzzLl67tMD

Please note though, that this is pretty sloppy work. I'm sure someone can do a much cleaner segmentation. I just wanted to take a quick shot at it before getting back to my own stuff. If you think the segmentation/models suck, do it better. My analysis is pretty rushed too, but if you think something's wrong, please show your work.

A few key findings (skeptical thoughts in parentheses):

1. I agree with Fung's IDs for the carpal bones.
2. The carpal bones appear to articulate with each other correctly.
3. The trapezoid and trapezium appear to be missing.
4. The metacarpals are missing several articulations.
   1. The 1st metacarpal is not correctly articulating with the scaphoid (as the trapezoid is missing). Feel free to attempt to fit the scaphoid and 1st metacarpal models together.
   2. The 1st metacarpal also has an unused articular surface medially (because it's been moved away from the 2nd metacarpal). We see this missing articulation mirrored in the 2nd metacarpal.
   3. The 2nd metacarpal similarly has an unused articular surface medially (because it's been moved away from the 3rd metacarpal). We see this missing articular surface not quite mirrored in the 3rd metacarpal (because it is actually a 4th metacarpal).
   4. The 3rd metacarpal appears to have a matching articular surface with the hamate, but is dis-articulated and shifted laterally.
5. The carpals are missing several articulations.
   1. The capitate has an unused articular surface dorsolaterally (where the trapezoid is missing).
   2. The scaphoid is has a mismatched articular surface with the 1st metacarpal (where the trapezium is missing).
6. The radius, despite the absence of a thumb, retains the morphology to permit the 1st extensor compartment where the extensor and abductor of the thumb would be found (which would suggest that the thumb is removed rather than absent).

Anyhow, I think that's pretty good reason to think that Montserrat has had her hands manipulated. Certainly that the ideas that her wrists are "perfectly adapted for three fingers" or that the anatomy is "perfectly aligned and natural" are hokum.

If you think all of this is instead hokum, I encourage you to repeat my work with Montserrat's right hand to double check. And then repeat to compare with Maria's hands. What are the similarities and differences, and why would there be any similarities and differences?

Anyhow, I spent half a day too long working on this, so the rest is on ya'll.