Relevant Wrist AnatomyThe wrist anatomy includes the bones, muscles, tendons and other structures around the wrist joint. The wrist or the carpus is a part of the hand. It joins the forearm bones with the metacarpal bones of the hand. It is made of 8 small bones called the carpal bones. These are
These bones are arranged in two rows. The proximal row includes the scaphoid, lunate, triquetral and pisiform. The distal row includes the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate. Towards the palm the bones of the wrist form a concave cavity. This cavity is completed into a tunnel by the flexor retinaculum. This tunnel is called the carpal tunnel. It provides passage to the flexor tendons of the fingers and the median nerve. At the back of the wrist these bones are convex. 
The scaphoid, lunate and triquetral bones articulate with the articular surface of the lower end of the radius to form the radio-carpal or wrist joint. The radial artery crosses the wrist joint and is the main blood supply of the hand. The radial pulse can be palpated at the wrist by gently pressing over the lower end of the radius bone. The ulnar artery and nerve also cross the wrist joint through the ulnar tunnel. This ulnar tunnel is formed by the superficial and deep parts of the flexor retinaculum. Movements occuring at the wrist joint are
Muscles causing extension are
Muscles causing extensionflexion are
Muscles causing ulnar deviation are
This photograph shows ulnar deviation.
Muscles causing radial deviation are
This photograph shows radial deviation of the wrist joint.I hope the information provided was helpful. If you have any query you can ask me at the contact me page. This page was last updated on 21st August 2009.
To get a better understanding of wrist anatomy also see... Causes of wrist pain... Go back from Wrist Anatomy to Wrist Pain
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