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Histology
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ArticlesAnatomyUpper limbWrist and handHamate bone
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ArticlesAnatomyUpper limbWrist and handHamate bone

Hamate bone

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Sara Ferreira, MD
Last reviewed: June 12, 2023
Reading time: 4 minutes

Recommended video: Carpal bones [14:11]
The eight bones of the wrist, known as the carpal bones, and related bony landmarks.
Hamate bone
Os hamatum
1/2
Synonyms: none

The hamate is an irregularly-shaped carpal bone. Together with the trapezium, trapezoid and capitate bones, it comprises the distal row of carpal bones.

The main anatomical feature of the hamate bone is the hamulus, a bony projection located at the distal portion of its palmar surface.

The main function of this bone is to connect the distal row of carpal bones with the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones. The hamate bone serves as the attachment point for a number of muscles and ligaments of the hand and forearm. In addition, it participates in the formation of the carpal tunnel and Guyon's canal.

This article will discuss the anatomy, structure and functions of the hamate bone.

Key facts about the hamate bone
Definition An irregularly-shaped bone located in the distal carpal row of the hand
Articulations Proximally: Lunate bone
Distally: Fourth and fifth metacarpals
Medially: Triquetrum bone
Laterally: Capitate bone
Attachments Muscles: flexor digiti minimi brevis, opponens digiti minimi, abductor digiti minimi, flexor carpi ulnaris
Ligaments: flexor retinaculum, pisohamate ligament, triquetrohamate ligament, capitohamate ligament
Functions Muscle and ligamentous attachments
Connects fourth and fifth metacarpals to the carpus
Participates in the formation of the carpal tunnel and Guyon's canal

Anatomy

Hook of hamate bone
Hamulus ossis hamati
1/2
Synonyms: Hamulus of hamate bone

The hamate bone is a wedge-shaped bone located in the hand. It is the most medial of bones in the distal carpal row, being surrounded by three other carpal bones; the capitate, triquetrum and lunate bones. The body of the hamate bone has six surfaces: medial and lateral, proximal and distal and palmar and dorsal.

The palmar surface of the hamate contains a hook-like osseous projection called the hamulus (or hook) of the hamate bone. The hamulus is curved with a lateral concavity and its tip inclines laterally. The hamulus contributes to the formation of the medial wall of the carpal tunnel and the lateral wall of the ulnar canal (i.e. Guyon's canal). The hamulus also serves as the attachment point for a number of different muscles and ligaments of the hand and forearm, including the flexor retinaculum.

Articulations

The hamate bone articulates with several adjacent bones: 

  • The proximal surface articulates with the lunate bone;
  • The distal surface articulates with the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones;
  • The medial surface articulates with the triquetrum;
  • The lateral surface articulates with the capitate.

Attachments

Dorsal triquetrohamate ligament
Ligamentum triquetrohamatum dorsale
1/4
Synonyms: none

The hamate bone serves as the attachment point for several ligaments and muscles. 

The ligamentous attachments include: 

  • The flexor retinaculum (also known as the transverse carpal ligament);
  • The pisohamate ligament, connecting the pisiform bone and the hook of hamate;
  • The triquetrohamate ligaments, between the triquetrum and the hamate; 
  • The capitohamate ligaments, between the capitate and the hamate.

The muscular attachments include:

Bones of the wrist and hand Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Davis D. L. (2017). Hook of the Hamate: The Spectrum of Often Missed Pathologic Findings. AJR. American journal of roentgenology, 209(5), 1110–1118. https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.17...

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