Ulnar deviation

Ulnar Deviation

Ulnar deviation, also known as ulnar drift or ulnar flexion, is a medical term used to describe the movement of the wrist towards the ulna, the bone on the pinky finger side of the forearm.

Pronunciation

Ulnar deviation: /ˈʌlnər diːviːˈeɪʃən/

Etymology

The term "ulnar deviation" is derived from the Latin word "ulna," meaning elbow, and the Latin word "deviation," meaning departure. The term is used in the medical field to describe the movement of the wrist towards the ulna bone.

Definition

Ulnar deviation is a type of wrist movement where the hand moves towards the ulna bone. This movement is common in activities such as hammering a nail or swinging a racket. In a medical context, ulnar deviation can also refer to a symptom of certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the fingers drift towards the ulna due to joint deformities.

Related Terms

Ulna: One of the two bones in the forearm, located on the side of the pinky finger.
Deviation: A departure from the normal or common order, form, or rule.
Rheumatoid arthritis: A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
Flexion: A bending movement around a joint in a limb (such as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint.
Radial deviation: The movement of the wrist towards the radius, the bone on the thumb side of the forearm.