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CARPAL BONES ANATOMY

Author: Dr. Bogdan Leahu
← Bones of Hand Metacarpal Bones →
Carpal bones anatomy 360-degree interactive viewer showing eight wrist bones arranged in proximal and distal rows with articulation surfaces
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • The carpal bones consist of a total of eight bones arranged in two distinct rows
  • This arrangement provides stability and flexibility to the wrist joint
  • Proximal row: Scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, and pisiform
  • Distal row: Trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate

PROXIMAL ROW OF CARPAL BONES

Proximal row of carpal bones 360-degree viewer showing scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, and pisiform bones with articulation surfaces
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1. Scaphoid (Navicular)

Structure
  • Largest bone of the proximal row, boat-shaped
  • Proximal surface: Convex, smooth, triangular, articulates with the radius
Features
  • Tubercle:
    • Located on the volar surface
    • Directed forwards
    • Attachment point for the transverse carpal ligament and occasionally Abductor pollicis brevis fibers

2. Lunate (Semilunar)

Structure
  • Deeply concave with a crescentic outline
  • Located in the center of the proximal row, between scaphoid and triquetral bones
Surfaces
  • Proximal: Convex, articulates with the radius
  • Distal: Deeply concave, articulates with the head of the capitate bone

3. Triquetral (Cuneiform)

Structure
  • Pyramidal shape
  • Located on the ulnar side of the proximal row
Feature
  • Oval facet for articulation with the pisiform bone

4. Pisiform

Structure
  • Smallest proximal carpal bone
  • Positioned in front of the triquetral bone
Feature
  • Single oval facet on the dorsal surface for articulation with the triquetral bone

DISTAL ROW OF CARPAL BONES

Distal row of carpal bones 360-degree viewer showing trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate bones with hook of hamate
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1. Trapezium (Greater Multangular)

Location
  • Radial side of the carpus, between the scaphoid and first metacarpal bone
Features
  • Deep groove on the volar surface
  • Tubercle:
    • Located on the upper volar surface
    • Attachment point for the transverse carpal ligament and thumb muscles

2. Trapezoid (Lesser Multangular)

Structure
  • Smallest distal carpal bone, wedge-shaped
Features
  • Four articular facets separated by sharp edges

3. Capitate

Structure
  • Largest carpal bone, central in the wrist
Features
  • Proximal head: Rounded, articulates with scaphoid and lunate bones
  • Neck and distal body

4. Hamate (Unciform)

Structure
  • Wedge-shaped
Feature
  • Hamulus (Hook of Hamate):
    • Curved projection from the volar surface
    • Directed forwards and laterally
    • Attachment point for the transverse carpal ligament and muscles

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.

QUICK FACTS: CARPAL BONES

Key questions answered about this anatomy topic

Q: How many carpal bones are there in total?

Answer: 8 bones. The carpal bones consist of a total of eight bones arranged in two distinct rows: the proximal row (4 bones) and the distal row (4 bones).

Q: Which bones make up the proximal row of carpal bones?

Answer: Scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, pisiform. The proximal row consists of the scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, and pisiform bones, listed from radial to ulnar side.

Q: Which is the largest bone of the proximal carpal row?

Answer: Scaphoid. The scaphoid (also known as navicular) is the largest bone of the proximal row and has a boat-shaped appearance.

Q: Which carpal bone is described as having a crescentic outline?

Answer: Lunate. The lunate (semilunar) bone is deeply concave with a crescentic outline, located in the center of the proximal row between the scaphoid and triquetral bones.

Q: Which is the smallest bone of the proximal carpal row?

Answer: Pisiform. The pisiform is the smallest proximal carpal bone and is positioned in front of the triquetral bone.

Want to test yourself? Try the interactive quiz above!

⋮⋮ Carpal Bones Quiz
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