- The wrist joint is better termed the wrist joint complex because it is composed of a number of joints.
- The principal wrist joint is the radiocarpal joint, located between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones.
- There is also the ulnocarpal joint, located between the distal end of the ulna and the proximal row of carpal bones.
- There is also the midcarpal joint that is located between the proximal row of carpals and the distal row of carpals.
- And there are individual intercarpal joints, each one located between an individual carpal bone and its neighboring carpal bone.
- The wrist joint is a biaxial, condyloid, synovial joint.
- The wrist joint allows:
- Flexion/Extension in the sagittal plane.
- Radial deviation/Ulnar deviation in the frontal plane.
NOTES:
- More specifically, the radiocarpal joint is formed by the radius and the scaphoid and lunate carpal bones.
- There is no direct contact between the ulna and the carpal bones at the ulnocarpal joint.
- There is a fibrocartilaginous disc located in the ulnocarpal joint called the triangular fibrocartilage (TFC), also known as the radioulnar disc.
- Radial deviation is also known as abduction; ulnar deviation is also known as adduction.
Anterior view of bones of the right wrist and hand.
Posterior view of bones of the right wrist and hand.
Anterior view of the carpals spaced out, on the right side of the body.
Posterior view of the carpals spaced out, on the right side of the body.
