Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The lunate is a crescent-shaped carpal bone found in the proximal row of the wrist, between the scaphoid and triquetrum bones. It articulates with the radius in the forearm and plays a crucial role in wrist movement and stability.
Related terms
Carpal bones: The eight small bones that make up the wrist joint, allowing for a wide range of motion.
Scaphoid bone: A boat-shaped carpal bone located on the thumb side of the wrist that articulates with the lunate.
Triquetrum bone: A pyramidal carpal bone located on the pinky side of the wrist, adjacent to the lunate