There are 8 carpal bones
There are 8 carpal bones in each wrist, set in two rows of four. The proximal row, nearer the forearm, is from the thumb side the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum and pisiform; the distal row, nearer the fingers, is the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate. The scaphoid and lunate of the proximal row form the wrist joint with the radius.
Frequently asked questions
Which carpal bone is the largest?
The capitate. It sits in the middle of the distal row and joins the third metacarpal.
Which carpal bone joins the thumb?
The trapezium. It forms a saddle joint with the first metacarpal, which lets the thumb meet the other fingers.
Is there an easy order for remembering the eight?
Go across the proximal row from the thumb side, then the distal row: scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform; trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate.
The bones counted
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- Axial and appendicular skeleton
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- Bones of the arm
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Skeleton
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