Scaphoid

Study entry

Parts

Boat-shaped bone of the proximal row; palmar tubercle; large articular surface for the radius.

Joints

Radius, lunate, capitate, trapezium and trapezoid.

Palpation

In the floor of the anatomical snuffbox and, through the tubercle, at the base of the thenar eminence.

Clinical

The carpal bone that fractures most often (fall on the abducted hand). Its blood supply enters through the distal part: in a fracture of the waist, the proximal fragment may become necrotic. Pain in the anatomical snuffbox is the classic sign.

Source: cap. 3, «Huesos de la mano» y cuadro clínico

Clinical correlation

Fracture of the scaphoid

It is the carpal bone that breaks most often, in a fall on the palm with the hand abducted; the line passes through the narrow part (waist). It hurts on the lateral side of the wrist, above all on extending and abducting the hand. The first radiograph may be normal; 10 to 14 days later, bone resorption shows the line. The proximal part is poorly supplied with blood: union may take 3 months or more, and the proximal fragment may become necrotic (avascular necrosis), leading to osteoarthritis of the carpus and, sometimes, arthrodesis.

Related clinical cases

• Fracture of the scaphoid

Other structures in this region

• Clavicle
• Scapula
• Humerus
• Radius
• Ulna
• Lunate
• Triquetrum
• Pisiform