Carpals

Definition

Carpals are a set of eight small bones that make up the wrist joint, connecting the hand to the forearm. These bones play a crucial role in providing stability and flexibility to the wrist, allowing for a wide range of motion in the hand. The carpals are arranged in two rows, each with four bones, and their unique structure helps facilitate the complex movements required for various hand functions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The eight carpal bones are named: scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.
2. The arrangement of carpals allows for both flexion and extension as well as radial and ulnar deviation of the wrist.
3. The scaphoid bone is one of the most commonly fractured carpal bones due to its location and the force transmitted through the wrist during falls.
4. Carpals play a vital role in grip strength by forming a stable base for the metacarpals and phalanges during hand movements.
5. Injuries or conditions affecting the carpals, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can lead to pain and reduced function in the hand.

Review Questions

• How do the carpals contribute to the overall function and mobility of the wrist?
  • The carpals provide both stability and flexibility to the wrist joint, which is essential for a wide range of hand movements. Their unique arrangement allows for various motions such as flexion, extension, and deviation. This versatility enables activities like grasping objects, typing, and performing intricate tasks that require dexterity.
• Discuss how injuries to specific carpal bones can affect hand function and mobility.
  • Injuries to carpal bones can severely impact hand function. For example, fractures of the scaphoid bone can lead to complications such as nonunion or avascular necrosis due to its limited blood supply. This can result in chronic pain and reduced range of motion. Similarly, damage to ligaments connecting carpals can cause instability and hinder normal hand movements.
• Evaluate the importance of understanding carpal anatomy in diagnosing wrist-related conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Understanding carpal anatomy is critical for diagnosing wrist-related conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome because it involves compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. By recognizing how the carpals interact with surrounding structures, healthcare professionals can identify symptoms and develop targeted treatments. Additionally, knowledge of carpal relationships aids in determining appropriate interventions to restore function and alleviate pain.

Related terms

Metacarpals:

The five long bones located in the middle of the hand that connect the carpals to the phalanges (finger bones).

Phalanges: The bones that make up the fingers, consisting of three bones in each finger and two in the thumb.

Ligaments:

Tissues that connect bones to other bones, providing support and stability to joints, including those in the wrist.