Bones of the Hand, Posterior View

Description

Seen from the posterior (dorsal) aspect, the distal radius and ulna lead into the carpus, where the proximal row (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform) articulates with the distal row (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate). Distal to the carpals, the five metacarpals fan laterally to medially into the digits, with the phalanges aligned from proximal to distal in each finger and only two phalanges in the thumb. Dorsal joint lines at the radiocarpal, midcarpal, carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal, and interphalangeal levels define the segmental architecture of the hand. Clear bony landmarks. A dorsal hand skeleton view is the working orientation for many traumatic and degenerative problems because dorsal swelling and tenderness often obscure soft-tissue cues while leaving bony axes and joint congruity to guide assessment. This perspective supports evaluation of common fracture patterns such as scaphoid waist fractures, triquetral dorsal avulsion injuries, and metacarpal neck fractures, and it mirrors the alignment checks used on standard PA and oblique hand radiographs when screening for carpal instability (for example, scapholunate dissociation with a widened scapholunate interval). Surgical planning benefits as well, since dorsal approaches to the wrist and metacarpals often use the extensor compartments as surface guides over these same osseous contours. Orthopaedic and radiology teaching files can pair this plate with PA hand radiographs to reinforce carpal rows, metacarpal rotation, and the expected cascade of digital flexion. Anatomy faculty will also find it fits upper-limb osteology labs and exam prep focused on carpal identification and joint mapping. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.