MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
REHABILITATION SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
I. SKELETAL FRAMEWORK
A. WRIST JOINT - complex
joint that has three components.
- Radiocarpal (condyloid) - formed with the
radius and the scaphoid, lunate & triquetrum.
- Distal radial-ulnar (trochoid)- allows
for supination/pronation.
- Intercarpal (gliding) - divided into three
groups:
- proximal row - joints between the scaphoid, lunate,
triquetral and pisiform bones.
- distal row - joints between the capitate, hamate,
- trapezoid and trapezium.
- midcarpal - joints between the proximal and distal
rows.
B. CARPAL BONES
- Scaphoid - receives
the majority of force transmitted through the radius. Most frequently
fractured carpal bone. Poor vascular supply.
- Lunate - most frequently
dislocated carpal bone.
- Triquetrum - forms
facet for articulation with pisiform.
- Pisiform - pea-shaped,
found within tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris. Provides attachment
for flexor and extensor retinaculum.
- Trapezium - serves
as attachment for flexor retinaculum. Saddle-shaped bone which
provides articulation for the thumb at the CMC joint.
- Trapezoid - smallest carpal bone in distal row.
- Capitate - largest,
most central carpal bone. Articulates with seven other bones,
"keystone of the wrist".
- Hamate - hook-shaped
bone that provides protection for the ulnar artery and nerve.
C. METACARPAL BONES
- Carpometacarpal Joints - the distal row of carpal bones
articulates with the five metacarpal bones.
- Carpometacarpal Joint of Thumb
(Sellar/saddle joint) - base of the first metacarpal articulates
with the trapezium. Allows for thumb opposition, adduction and
abduction, which is the foundation for a functional grasp/pinch.
- II-V Carpometacarpal Joints
(modified saddle joint) very limited movement.
D. METACARPAL-PHALANGEAL JOINTS
(condyloid)
- allow for flexion and extension of the digits
at the MCP articulation in addition to abduction and adduction
of the digit.
E. INTERPHALANGEAL JOINTS
(ginglymus/hinge)
- Proximal Interphalangeal Joint
- allows for flexion and extension at digits II-V.
- Distal Interphalangeal Joint
- allows for flexion and extension at digits II-V.
- Interphalangeal Joint
- thumb has only one IP joint. Allows for flexion/extension.
Innervation, Blood Supply and Tendons of the Wrist and Hand-Muscles of the Hand -Movements of the Hand - Surface Anatomy of the Hand -The Elbow - Wrist and Hand Index
Last modified:9:21 PM on 10/19/96
© 1996 Reigart, Murphy