The wrist connects the forearm Forearm The forearm is the region of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. The term "forearm" is used in anatomy to distinguish this area from the arm, a term that is commonly used to describe the entire upper limb. The forearm consists of 2 long bones (the radius and the ulna), the interosseous membrane, and multiple arteries, nerves, and muscles. Forearm: Anatomy to the hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy. It consists of 8 carpal bones Carpal bones The eight bones of the wrist: scaphoid bone; lunate bone; triquetrum bone; pisiform bone; trapezium bone; trapezoid bone; capitate bone; and hamate bone. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, multiple joints, and various supporting ligaments, as well as the distal bones of the forearm Forearm The forearm is the region of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. The term "forearm" is used in anatomy to distinguish this area from the arm, a term that is commonly used to describe the entire upper limb. The forearm consists of 2 long bones (the radius and the ulna), the interosseous membrane, and multiple arteries, nerves, and muscles. Forearm: Anatomy and the proximal portion of the 5 metacarpal bones of the hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy. The wrist is crucial for the functioning of the upper limb, and it provides stability while positioning the hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy for intricate motions.
Last updated: 9 Mar, 2022
The bones of the wrist consist of:
There are many mnemonics to help memorize the order and location of the carpal bones Carpal bones The eight bones of the wrist: scaphoid bone; lunate bone; triquetrum bone; pisiform bone; trapezium bone; trapezoid bone; capitate bone; and hamate bone. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. They are learned from lateral to medial and proximal to distal: scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate.
The proximal and distal rows of the carpal bones Carpal bones The eight bones of the wrist: scaphoid bone; lunate bone; triquetrum bone; pisiform bone; trapezium bone; trapezoid bone; capitate bone; and hamate bone. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Image by Lecturio.Wrist joint, featuring the 8 carpal bones Carpal bones The eight bones of the wrist: scaphoid bone; lunate bone; triquetrum bone; pisiform bone; trapezium bone; trapezoid bone; capitate bone; and hamate bone. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome plus the radius Radius The outer shorter of the two bones of the forearm, lying parallel to the ulna and partially revolving around it. Forearm: Anatomy and ulna Ulna The inner and longer bone of the forearm. Forearm: Anatomy
Image by Lecturio.X-ray X-ray Penetrating electromagnetic radiation emitted when the inner orbital electrons of an atom are excited and release radiant energy. X-ray wavelengths range from 1 pm to 10 nm. Hard x-rays are the higher energy, shorter wavelength x-rays. Soft x-rays or grenz rays are less energetic and longer in wavelength. The short wavelength end of the x-ray spectrum overlaps the gamma rays wavelength range. The distinction between gamma rays and x-rays is based on their radiation source. Pulmonary Function Tests of a left wrist, showing normal anatomy and no injuries
Image: “ X-ray X-ray Penetrating electromagnetic radiation emitted when the inner orbital electrons of an atom are excited and release radiant energy. X-ray wavelengths range from 1 pm to 10 nm. Hard x-rays are the higher energy, shorter wavelength x-rays. Soft x-rays or grenz rays are less energetic and longer in wavelength. The short wavelength end of the x-ray spectrum overlaps the gamma rays wavelength range. The distinction between gamma rays and x-rays is based on their radiation source. Pulmonary Function Tests of normal wrist” by Mikael Häggström, M.D. License: CC0 1.0, edited by Lecturio.The wrist is able to move in multiple directions, as it functions as a stable platform for the hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy.
Joint | Type | Components | Ligaments | Function |
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Distal radioulnar | Pivot joint | Head of ulna Ulna The inner and longer bone of the forearm. Forearm: Anatomy and ulnar notch on radius Radius The outer shorter of the two bones of the forearm, lying parallel to the ulna and partially revolving around it. Forearm: Anatomy |
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Supination Supination Applies to movements of the forearm in turning the palm forward or upward. When referring to the foot, a combination of adduction and inversion movements of the foot. Examination of the Upper Limbs– pronation Pronation Applies to movements of the forearm in turning the palm backward or downward. When referring to the foot, a combination of eversion and abduction movements in the tarsal and metatarsal joints (turning the foot up and in toward the midline of the body). Examination of the Upper Limbs |
Radiocarpal | Synovial ellipsoid joint | Distal radius Radius The outer shorter of the two bones of the forearm, lying parallel to the ulna and partially revolving around it. Forearm: Anatomy and proximal row of carpal bones Carpal bones The eight bones of the wrist: scaphoid bone; lunate bone; triquetrum bone; pisiform bone; trapezium bone; trapezoid bone; capitate bone; and hamate bone. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (except pisiform) |
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Midcarpal | Compound synovial | Proximal and distal row of carpal bones Carpal bones The eight bones of the wrist: scaphoid bone; lunate bone; triquetrum bone; pisiform bone; trapezium bone; trapezoid bone; capitate bone; and hamate bone. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Intercarpal, volar, dorsal, radial, and ulnar ligaments | Sliding and gliding |
Intercarpal | Amphiarthroses | Among the carpal bones Carpal bones The eight bones of the wrist: scaphoid bone; lunate bone; triquetrum bone; pisiform bone; trapezium bone; trapezoid bone; capitate bone; and hamate bone. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of each row | Intercarpal, dorsal, and volar ligaments | Stabilize the wrist |
Carpometacarpal | Amphiarthroses (2nd–5th) | Distal carpal and 2nd–5th metacarpals | Dorsal and palmar carpometacarpal ligaments | Limited gliding |
Saddle (thumb) | Trapezium and 1st metacarpal | Intermetacarpal, dorsoradial, collateral, and volar ligaments |
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Coronal Coronal Computed Tomography (CT) cross-section of the right wrist featuring the distal radioulnar, radiocarpal (labeled wrist joint), midcarpal, intercarpal, and carpometacarpal joints of the wrist
Image by Lecturio.Posterior view of the wrist, featuring its supporting ligaments
Image by BioDigital, edited by LecturioThe wrist acts as a transition between the forearm Forearm The forearm is the region of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. The term “forearm” is used in anatomy to distinguish this area from the arm, a term that is commonly used to describe the entire upper limb. The forearm consists of 2 long bones (the radius and the ulna), the interosseous membrane, and multiple arteries, nerves, and muscles. Forearm: Anatomy and hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy. The table below summarizes the forearm Forearm The forearm is the region of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. The term “forearm” is used in anatomy to distinguish this area from the arm, a term that is commonly used to describe the entire upper limb. The forearm consists of 2 long bones (the radius and the ulna), the interosseous membrane, and multiple arteries, nerves, and muscles. Forearm: Anatomy muscles and their associated movements. The name of each muscle is a reflection of the action of the muscle on the wrist and hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy.
Movement | Muscle |
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Flexion Flexion Examination of the Upper Limbs | Main:
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Extension Extension Examination of the Upper Limbs | Main:
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Abduction Abduction Examination of the Upper Limbs | The following extensor and flexor muscles work in tandem to cause
abduction
Abduction
Examination of the Upper Limbs:
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Adduction Adduction Examination of the Upper Limbs | The following extensor and flexor muscles work in tandem to cause adduction Adduction Examination of the Upper Limbs: flexor and extensor carpi ulnaris Extensor carpi ulnaris Forearm: Anatomy |
The carpal tunnel Carpal Tunnel The carpal tunnel is formed by the transverse carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum) superiorly and the carpal bones inferiorly. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is formed by the following:
Structure and contents of the carpal tunnel Carpal Tunnel The carpal tunnel is formed by the transverse carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum) superiorly and the carpal bones inferiorly. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Image by Lecturio.Cross-section of the wrist showcasing Guyon’s canal containing the ulnar artery Ulnar Artery The larger of the two terminal branches of the brachial artery, beginning about one centimeter distal to the bend of the elbow. Like the radial artery, its branches may be divided into three groups corresponding to their locations in the forearm, wrist, and hand. Forearm: Anatomy and nerve, superior to the flexor retinaculum Flexor Retinaculum Ankle Joint: Anatomy and carpal tunnel Carpal Tunnel The carpal tunnel is formed by the transverse carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum) superiorly and the carpal bones inferiorly. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Image by Lecturio.Medial view of the hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy and wrist, featuring the borders and contents of the anatomical snuff box
Image by Lecturio.