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Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues
ArticlesAnatomyUpper limbWrist and handScaphoid bone
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ArticlesAnatomyUpper limbWrist and handScaphoid bone

Scaphoid bone

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Carpal bones [14:11]
The eight bones of the wrist, known as the carpal bones, and related bony landmarks.
Scaphoid bone
Os scaphoideum
1/13
Synonyms: none

The scaphoid is one of the eight carpal bones of the hand. It is classified as a short bone and in the anatomical position, it is the lateral most of the carpal bones in the proximal row. Together with the lunate and triquetrum, its proximal surface articulates with the distal end of the radius to form the radiocarpal (wrist) joint. 

It has a prominent tubercle on its lateral palmar surface which serves as an attachment point for the abductor pollicis brevis and the flexor retinaculum. It forms part of the lateral aspect of the carpal arch as well as part of the floor of the anatomical snuffbox. The radial collateral ligament is also attached to its lateral surface.

Terminology English: Scaphoid bone
Latin: Os scaphoideum
Classification Short bone
Function Forms part of the wrist joint, carpal arch and anatomical snuffbox. Attachment site for adductor pollicis brevis and flexor retinaculum.

Learn more about the bones of the wrist and hand with this study unit:

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.

Gray, H., Drake, RL, Vogl, W., & Mitchell, AWM (2023). Gray's anatomy for students (Fifth edition). Elsevier.

Standring, S., Anand, N., & Tunstall, R. (2021). Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice (Forty-second edition). Elsevier.

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