The carpal bones are the eight small bones that make up the wrist that connects the hand to the forearm. The term "carpus" is derived from the Latin carpus and the Greek καρπός (karpós), meaning "wrist". In human anatomy, the main role of the wrist is to facilitate effective positioning of the hand and powerful use of the extensors and flexors of the forearm, and the mobility of individual carpal bones increase the freedom of movements at the wrist.
In human anatomy, the wrist is variously defined as 1) the carpus or carpal bones, the complex of eight bones forming the proximal skeletal segment of the hand; (2) the wrist joint or radiocarpal joint, the joint between the radius and the carpus and (3) the anatomical region surrounding the carpus including the distal parts of the bones of the forearm and the proximal parts of the metacarpus or five metacarpal bones and the series of joints between these bones, thus referred to as wrist joints. This region also includes the carpal tunnel, the anatomical snuff box, bracelet lines, the flexor retinaculum, and the extensor retinaculum.
The ulnar artery is the main blood vessel, with oxygenated blood, of the medial aspect of the forearm. It arises from the brachial artery and terminates in the superficial palmar arch, which joins with the superficial branch of the radial artery. It is palpable on the anterior and medial aspect of the wrist.
In human anatomy, the palmar or volar interossei are three small, unipennate muscles in the hand that lie between the metacarpal bones and are attached to the index, ring, and little fingers. They are smaller than the dorsal interossei of the hand.
The carpometacarpal (CMC) joints are five joints in the wrist that articulate the distal row of carpal bones and the proximal bases of the five metacarpal bones.
The palmar carpal ligament is the thickened portion of antebrachial fascia on the anterior of the wrist. It is officially unnamed.
The flexor retinaculum is a fibrous band on the palmar side of the hand near the wrist. It arches over the carpal bones of the hands, covering them and forming the carpal tunnel.
The palmar aponeurosis invests the muscles of the palm, and consists of central, lateral, and medial portions.
The interphalangeal joints of the hand are the hinge joints between the phalanges of the fingers that provide flexion towards the palm of the hand.
The deep transverse metacarpal ligament is a narrow fibrous band which runs across the palmar surfaces of the heads of the second, third, fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, connecting them together.
The palmar radiocarpal ligament is a broad membranous band, attached above to the distal end of the radius, to the scaphoid, lunate and the triquetrum of the carpal bones in the wrist. Some being continued to the capitate.
The intermetacarpal joints are in the hand formed between the metacarpal bones. The bases of the second, third, fourth and fifth metacarpal bones articulate with one another by small surfaces covered with cartilage. The metacarpal bones are connected together by dorsal, palmar, and interosseous ligaments.
The palmar branch of the median nerve is a branch of the median nerve which arises at the lower part of the forearm.
The palmar intercarpal ligaments are fibrous bands that extend transversely across the palmar surfaces of the carpal bones, connecting adjacent carpals. These are the ligaments that define the structure of the ligamentous palmar arch.
The Transverse Ligament of the Palmar Aponeurosis (TLPA) is a thin band of transverse fibers of the distal portion of the palmar aponeurosis. It runs deep and transverse to the longitudinally oriented pretendinous bands of the palmar fascial complex, and serves as an attachment point for the septa of Legueu and Juvara.
The Palmar carpometacarpal ligaments are a series of bands on the palmar surface of the carpometacarpal joints that connect the carpal bones to the second through fifth metacarpal bones. The second metacarpal is connected to the trapezium. The third metacarpal is connected to the trapezium, to the capitate, and to the hamate. The fourth and fifth metacarpals are connected to the hamate.
In the human hand, palmar or volar plates are found in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints where they reinforce the joint capsules, enhance joint stability, and limit hyperextension. The plates of the MCP and IP joints are structurally and functionally similar, except that in the MCP joints they are interconnected by a deep transverse ligament. In the MCP joints, they also indirectly provide stability to the longitudinal palmar arches of the hand. The volar plate of the thumb MCP joint has a transverse longitudinal rectangular shape, shorter than those in the fingers.
A palmar ligament is one of several ligaments in or near the palm of the hand:
The dorsal ulnocarpal ligament is a ligament in the hand. It is a fibrous band passing from the styloid process of the ulna to the dorsal aspect of the carpal bones.
