Wrist and hand

Question 1

How many bones are there in the hand?

Answer 1

8 carpal bones, 5 metacarpals, 2 phalanges on the thumb and 3 on each of the fingers = 27

Question 2

What are the carpal bones called?

Answer 2

The proximal row of carpal bones (moving from radial to ulnar) are the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform; distal row of carpal bones (also from radial to ulnar) comprises the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.

Scaphoid - Some
Lunate - Lovers
Triquetrum - Try
Pisiform - Positions
Trapezium - That
Trapezoid - They
Capitate – Can’t
Hamate - Handle

To remember the trapezium bone relates to the thumb remember ‘trapezium under the thumb’

Question 3

How to palpate ulnar styloid?

Answer 3

run finger distally down little finger side of forearm until you reach bump at the end of the ulnar. Palpate all round

Question 4

How to palpate radial styloid?

Answer 4

run finger distally down thumb side of forearm until you reach bump at the end of the radius. Palpate all round

Question 5

How to palpate scaphoid?

Answer 5

On thumb side of hand, right at the base of the thumb, have one finger in their anatomical snuff box and the other on the palm side of thumb. Scaphoid will be between your fingers

Question 6

How to palpate lunate?

Answer 6

Get them to show you the back of their hand and flex their wrist. You palpate on from scaphoid (just above anatomical snuff box on thumb side) over back of wrist and the lunate is right in the middle in line with middle finger

Question 7

How to palpate pisiform?

Answer 7

Walk fingers distally along little finger side of wrist towards hand. In the bottom little finger side corner of the hand you will find a small lump. Palpate around

Question 8

How to palpate hook of hamate?

Answer 8

From the pisiform shift diagonally medially and distally a cm or two

Question 9

How to palpate trapezium?

Answer 9

With your fingers follow thumb metacarpal from thumb joint down until you feel the end of it. At the end of the metacarpal bone is the trapezium. Palpate around (in the video they wiggle it back and forth)

Question 10

How to palpate joint line of wrist?

Answer 10

Find the styloids. Joint line dips a little towards the arm side rather than the hand side between the styloids