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3D OSTEOLOGY
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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

What are the carpal bones?

  • The carpal bones consist of a total of eight bones arranged in two distinct rows
  • This arrangement provides stability and flexibility to your wrist joint

What are the two rows of carpal bones?

  • 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)

What is the structure of the scaphoid?

  • Largest bone of the proximal row, boat-shaped
  • Proximal surface: Convex, smooth, triangular, articulates with the radius

What is the scaphoid tubercle?

  • Tubercle:
    • Located on the volar surface
    • Directed forwards
    • Attachment point for the transverse carpal ligament and occasionally Abductor pollicis brevis fibers

2. Lunate (Semilunar)

What is the structure of the lunate?

  • Deeply concave with a crescentic outline
  • Located in the center of the proximal row, between scaphoid and triquetral bones

What are the surfaces of the lunate?

  • Proximal: Convex, articulates with the radius
  • Distal: Deeply concave, articulates with the head of the capitate bone

3. Triquetral (Cuneiform)

What is the structure of the triquetral?

  • Pyramidal shape
  • Located on the ulnar side of the proximal row

What is the key feature of the triquetral?

  • Oval facet for articulation with the pisiform bone

4. Pisiform

What is the structure of the pisiform?

  • Smallest proximal carpal bone
  • Positioned in front of the triquetral bone

What is the key feature of the pisiform?

  • 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)

Where is the trapezium located?

  • Radial side of the carpus, between the scaphoid and first metacarpal bone

What are the features of the trapezium?

  • Deep groove on the volar surface
  • Tubercle:
    • Located on the upper volar surface
    • Attachment point for the transverse carpal ligament and your thumb muscles

2. Trapezoid (Lesser Multangular)

What is the structure of the trapezoid?

  • Smallest distal carpal bone, wedge-shaped

What are the features of the trapezoid?

  • Four articular facets separated by sharp edges

3. Capitate

What is the structure of the capitate?

  • Largest carpal bone, central in your wrist

What are the features of the capitate?

  • Proximal head: Rounded, articulates with scaphoid and lunate bones
  • Neck and distal body

4. Hamate (Unciform)

What is the structure of the hamate?

  • Wedge-shaped

What is the hamulus (hook of hamate)?

  • 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.