Objective: Sesamoid bones are usually small and oval shaped bones with varying shapes and sizes which are embedded in certain tendons that are very close to the bones and joints on the palmar and plantar joint surfaces. Their traumatic and degenerative injuries are frequently encountered. Therefore, determining the distribution characteristics of sesamoid bones in the hand will not only provide anatomic information but also aid in understanding the pathological conditions of the hand including these bones.

Materials and methods: The PA hand x-rays, which were taken with the focus film distance of 100-110 cm by Department of Radiology at Fırat University Hospital, of a total of 700 adults including 231 male and 469 female were evaluated retrospectively. Frequency and percentage of quantitative descriptive analysis methods were used in statistical analysis of data.

Results: In the present study, the presence of sesamoid bone in I. metacarpal (MC) bone was detected to be 100% in both males and females in both right and left hand. It was detected at the rates of 68.4% in males and 66.3% in females in the II. MC. Its distribution in hands was as 67.8% in the right hand and 66.2% in the left hand. At the same time, other MC bones and phalanx bones were evaluated as well.

Conclusion: Knowing the detailed anatomy of sesamoid bones will increase the early and accurate diagnosis of diseases associated with sesamoids in radiological examinations.