
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Musculoskeletal problems of the wrist and hand anatomy
Introduction
Anatomy
Anatomy
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Right Human Posterior Distal Radius, Ulna, Carpals
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Right Human Anterior Distal Radius, Ulna, Carpals
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Carpus
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Ligaments of wrist. Anterior view
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Ligaments of wrist. Posterior view.
Bones
- Distal Radius
- Styloid process adds medial stability
- Distal Ulna
- Styloid process adds lateral stability
- Proximal Carpal Row
- Distal Carpal Row
- Joint Capsules
- Seven non-communicating compartments of the wrist
- Negative findings in one compartment do not rule out pathology in another
Tendons
- Flexor Tendons
- Majority traverse palmar surface via carpal tunnel
- Lie between carpal bones dorsally and flexor retinaculum ventrally
- Extensor Tendons
- Cross the wrist covered by fascia along the dorsal surface
- Insertions
- Major wrist flexors/extensors insert at base of metacarpals, not onto carpal bones
Nerves
- Median Nerve
- Runs through carpal tunnel
- Ulnar Nerve
- Follows ulnar artery
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]





