Here we describe new material of the Upper Jurassic anurognathid Jeholopterus ningchengensis in both forelimbs of which the propatagium is associated with an anteriorly directed pteroid and can be clearly traced from the shoulder region to the distal end of the metacarpus. Though less well preserved, a similar arrangement is observed in the holotype of J. ningchengensis, Rhamphorhynchus muensteri (the Zittel wing) and a basal azhdarchoid (SMNK 3830 PAL). In addition, morphometric analysis of 38 species of pterosaur, representing 16 families and a size range of 0.4-7.0 metres in wingspan, reveals a strong correlation (r2 = 0.91) between the length of the pteroid and the wing-metacarpal. This is consistent with a broad forewing model, in which the requirement for a leading edge profile free of sharp deflections strongly constrains pteroid length, but is less easily explained by the narrow forewing model where there is no direct anatomical or functional connection between the pteroid and the wing-metacarpal.