Which anatomical structure is located proximal to the wrist in the front limb?

The metacarpals are the anatomical structures located just proximal to the wrist in the front limb. Specifically, they form part of the skeletal framework of the paw in animals and are the long bones that connect the carpal bones (wrist) to the phalanges (digits or toes). Understanding the positioning of these bones is crucial for evaluating injuries in the front limb or performing surgeries related to this area.

The other options do not pertain to the front limb. The scapula is part of the shoulder structure, while the tibia and femur are bones of the hind limb. The tibia is located in the lower leg, and the femur is the thigh bone, so they do not relate to the wrist region. Thus, the frequent confusion may lie in mixing limbs, but the agreed-upon anatomical terminology clearly places the metacarpals directly proximal to the wrist in the forelimb anatomy.