The wrist and the hand Flashcards
Which carpal bones articulate with the radius to form the wrist (radiocarpal) joint?
Distally – The proximal row of the carpal bones (except the pisiform).
Proximally – The distal end of the radius, and the articular disk (see below)
What does the proximal row of carpal bones contain?
scaphoid, lunate, triquetral and pisiform (from radial side to ulnar)
What does the distal row of carpal bones cont
The distal row is composed of the hamate, capitate, trapezoid and trapezium (from ulnar side to radial).
What is a scaphoid fracture?
Results from a fall on an outstretched hand when the hand is abducted
Scaphoid bone has a narrow ‘waist’ that is mostly likely to fracture
Common injury in young adults
Tenderness in anatomical snuffbox
The scaphoid bone is the most commonly fractured carpal bone. What can happen if this injury is missed by a clinician?
Blood supply from distal > proximal segment
Fracture > proximal segment has blood supply interrupted
If missed / not fixed > avascular necrosis of proximal segment > affects wrist joint
What is a colles’ fracture?
One of the most common fractures of the ‘wrist’, a Colles’ fracture, is actually a fracture of the distal radius.
What is a boxer’s fracture?
A boxer’s fracture is the break of the 5th metacarpal bones of the hand near the knuckle.
Symptoms include pain and a depressed knuckle.
Classically, it occurs after a person hits an object with a closed fist. The knuckle is then bent towards the palm of the hand.
What are Bouchard’s nodes?
Bouchard’s nodes. Bouchard’s nodes are hard, bony outgrowths or gelatinous cysts on the proximal interphalangeal joints. Seen in OA
What are Heberden’s nodes?
Heberden’s nodes are bony growths that develop on the distal interphalangeal joints. Heberden’s nodes only develop in people who have osteoarthritis
What joints does rheumatoid arthritis affect?
Swelling of the PIP and MCP joints of the hands
What joints does osteoarthritis affect?
DIP, PIP, CMC most commonly but can affect most joints
Where is the carpal tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is a space or ‘channel’ on the anterior aspect of the
What muscles pass through the carpal tunnel?
The tendon of flexor pollicis longus
Four tendons of flexor digitorum profundus
Four tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis
What nerve passes through the carpal tunnel?
median nerve
What forms the floor of the carpal tunnel?
carpal bones
What forms the sides of the carpal tunnel?
carpal bones
What forms the roof of the carpal tunnel?
flexor retinaculum (transverse carpal ligament) on the anterior surface of the wrist
What is the Palmar aponeurosis?
a triangular shaped thickening of deep fascia beneath the skin of the palm
What are the 5 groups of intrinsic muscles in the palm of the hand ?
The thenar eminence (3 intrinsic muscles of the thumb)
The hypothenar eminence (3 intrinsic muscles of the little finger)
Adductor pollicis
The lumbrical muscles (there are 4)
The palmar interossei (there are 3)