Wrist and Hand – Dissection Notes Flashcards

What bones make up the carpus (wrist)?

Eight carpal bones arranged in proximal and distal rows: Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform (proximal row) and Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate (distal row).

Which carpal bone can be palpated at the base of the thenar eminence and is the largest bone in the proximal row?

Scaphoid.

Name the proximal row of carpal bones from lateral to medial.

Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform.

Name the distal row of carpal bones from lateral to medial.

Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate.

What mnemonic helps remember the carpal bones in order?

Scared Lovers Try Positions, That They Can't Handle.

How many metacarpal bones are there and what is their general structure?

Five metacarpals (I–V); long bones with a proximal base, shaft, and distal head forming the knuckles; the first metacarpal is rotated for thumb opposition.

How many phalanges are in the hand, and how are they distributed among digits?

Fourteen phalanges: three in digits II–V and two in digit I (the thumb).

Which nerve supplies the muscles of the thenar eminence?

Median nerve.

Which nerve supplies the muscles of the hypothenar eminence?

Ulnar nerve.

Which nerve generally innervates the interosseous muscles?

Ulnar nerve (lumbricals I–II are median; III–IV are ulnar).

Which artery forms the superficial palmar arch?

Ulnar artery.

Which artery forms the deep palmar arch?

Radial artery (with contribution from the ulnar artery via anastomosis).

Where is the tunnel of Guyon located?

Between the pisiform and hook of the hamate; under the pisohamate ligament; through which the ulnar nerve and artery pass into the hand.

What structures pass under the flexor retinaculum to form the carpal tunnel?

Four FDS tendons, four FDP tendons, tendon of Flexor Pollicis Longus (FPL), and Median nerve.

What is the function of the flexor retinaculum?

Forms the roof of the carpal tunnel, holds long flexor tendons in place, and prevents bowstringing during wrist flexion.

What is the Palmar Aponeurosis?

A triangular fascia in the central palm; apex directed to the wrist; blends with the flexor retinaculum; continuous with the tendon of Palmaris Longus; base attaches to the bases of the fingers.

Which muscles form the thenar eminence?

Abductor Pollicis Brevis, Flexor Pollicis Brevis, Opponens Pollicis.

Which nerve supplies the thenar muscles?

Median nerve.

Which muscles form the hypothenar eminence?

Abductor Digiti Minimi, Flexor Digiti Minimi, Opponens Digiti Minimi.

Which nerve supplies the hypothenar muscles?

Ulnar nerve.

What is the Adductor Pollicis and which compartment is it in?

Adductor Pollicis occupies the adductor compartment; innervated by the ulnar nerve; two heads (oblique and transverse) inserting at the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb.

What nerve supplies the Adductor Pollicis?

Ulnar nerve.

How does the ulnar nerve run at the wrist and through the hand?

Descends in the forearm, passes over the flexor retinaculum at the wrist, enters the hand through the Tunnel of Guyon, then divides into superficial and deep branches.

Where does the ulnar artery run in the palm and what arches does it form?

Accompanies the ulnar nerve on the anterior surface