Carpals

Carpals

The Carpals (/ˈkɑːrpəlz/; from Greek: καρπός, karpós, "wrist") are a group of eight small bones that form the wrist, connecting the hand to the forearm. They are arranged in two rows, with four bones in each row.

Etymology

The term "carpals" is derived from the Greek word karpós, which means "wrist". In Latin, the term is "carpus". The names of the individual carpal bones are also derived from Latin and Greek words describing their shapes.

Anatomy

The eight carpal bones are:

• Scaphoid
• Lunate
• Triquetral
• Pisiform (in the proximal row)
• Trapezium
• Trapezoid
• Capitate
• Hamate (in the distal row)

These bones are connected by ligaments and arranged in a way that allows for a high degree of movement in the wrist.

Related Terms

• Metacarpals: The five bones in the hand that connect the carpals to the phalanges.
• Phalanges: The bones of the fingers and thumb.
• Carpal tunnel: A narrow passageway in the wrist, through which the median nerve and several tendons pass.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition caused by pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, resulting in pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and wrist.

See Also

• Hand anatomy
• Wrist
• Bone
• Human skeleton

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