Wrist Complex Anatomy and Articulations
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1
What are the two articulations of the wrist complex plus the adjacent forearm articulation?
Radiocarpal joint, midcarpal joint, and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ)
2
Which structures articulate to form the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ)?
Head of the ulna, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), and ulnar notch of the radius
3
Which structures articulate proximally and distally at the radiocarpal joint?
Distal radius and TFCC articular disc proximally; scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum distally
4
Which proximal carpal bone does not articulate with the radiocarpal joint?
Pisiform
5
Where is the midcarpal joint located?
Between the proximal and distal rows of carpal bones
6
What are two major functional contributions of the wrist complex?
Control length-tension relationships in multiarticular hand muscles and enable fine adjustments of grip
7
What type of joint classification is the radiocarpal joint?
Biaxial condyloid synovial joint
8
How many degrees of freedom does the radiocarpal joint have?
2 degrees of freedom
9
What two cardinal movement pairs occur at the radiocarpal joint?
Flexion/extension and ulnaradial deviation
10
What fibrocartilaginous structure binds the distal ends of the radius and ulna together?
Triangular articular disc of the distal radio-ulnar joint (triangular ligament/TFCC)
11
Where does the articular disc of the DRUJ attach on the ulna?
Medial edge of the base of the styloid process of the ulna
12
What separates the distal radioulnar joint from the wrist (radiocarpal) joint?
The articular disc (triangular ligament)
13
What is the proximal extension of the synovial membrane lining the DRUJ capsule called?
Sacciform recess
14
How is the fibrous capsule of the radiocarpal joint structurally reinforced medially and laterally?
Thickened into collateral ligaments
15
How many carpal bones make up the wrist?
Eight carpal bones
16
How are the eight carpal bones arranged?
In proximal and distal rows of four
17
From lateral to medial, what are the four carpal bones of the proximal row?
Scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform
18
Which proximal carpal bone is boat-shaped and the largest of the row?
Scaphoid
19
Which forearm bone articulates directly with the scaphoid and lunate?
Radius
20
What clinical vulnerability is associated with the scaphoid?
Limited blood supply
21
Which proximal carpal bone is crescent- or moon-shaped?
Lunate
22
Which proximal carpal bone is pyramid-shaped and articulates with the articular disc?
Triquetrum
23
Where does the pea-shaped pisiform bone sit?
On the palmar surface of the triquetrum
24
From lateral to medial, what are the four carpal bones of the distal row?
Trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate
25
Which distal carpal bone is four-sided and articulates with the 1st and 2nd metacarpals, scaphoid, and trapezoid?
Trapezium
26
Which distal carpal bone is wedge-shaped and articulates with the 2nd metacarpal?
Trapezoid
27
Which carpal bone is the largest and considered the keystone of the carpus?
Capitate
28
Which metacarpal articulates with the head-shaped capitate?
3rd metacarpal
29
Which distal carpal bone is on the medial side and articulates with the 4th and 5th metacarpals?
Hamate
30
What prominent anterior bony projection characterizes the hamate bone?
Hook of the hamate
31
What are two common mnemonics used to memorize the carpal bones from lateral to medial?
"Some Lovers Try Positions That They Cannot Handle" and "Sally Left The Party To Take Cathy Home"
32
What are the three common anatomical fracture sites of the scaphoid bone?
Scaphoid tubercle fracture, scaphoid waist fracture, and proximal pole fracture
33
Which artery provides the primary blood supply to the scaphoid bone?
Radial artery (via dorsal carpal and superficial palmar branches)
34
Where does the radial collateral ligament of the wrist attach?
From the styloid process of the radius to the scaphoid tubercle and trapezium
35
Where does the ulnar collateral ligament of the wrist attach?
From the styloid process of the ulna to the medial triquetrum and pisiform
36
What is the function of the intercarpal interosseous ligaments?
Hold the proximal row of carpal bones together
37
Where does the palmar radiocarpal ligament attach?
From palmar surface of distal radius to all proximal carpals and capitate
38
Where does the palmar ulnocarpal ligament attach?
From distal ulna and articular disc to lunate and triquetrum
39
Where does the dorsal radiocarpal ligament attach?
From dorsal distal radius to scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum
40
Which arterial arches provide the primary blood supply to the wrist joint?
Branches of the dorsal and palmar carpal arches
41
What type of joints are the intercarpal joints?
Plane synovial joints
42
Which intercarpal joint possesses its own separate synovial cavity?
Pisotriquetral joint
43
What type of joints are the carpometacarpal (CMC) joints of digits II through V?
Plane synovial joints
44
Which joint cavity is continuous with the CMC joint cavity of digits II through V?
Distal intercarpal joint cavity
45
What type of joint is the 1st carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb?
Saddle joint
46
Which two bones articulate at the 1st carpometacarpal (CMC) joint?
Trapezium and 1st metacarpal
47
Does the 1st CMC joint share a synovial cavity with the other CMC joints?
No, it has a separate synovial cavity
48
What specialized functional thumb movement is permitted by the 1st CMC saddle joint?
Opposition of the thumb
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