Human Male Wrist, Posterior View

Description

Dorsally, the wrist is organized around the distal radius and ulna framing the radiocarpal joint, with the proximal carpal row (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform) sitting distal to the articular surface and the distal row (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate) aligned more inferiorly toward the metacarpal bases. Crossing superficially from proximal to distal, the extensor tendons are shown within their synovial sheaths under the extensor retinaculum, including extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis on the radial side and extensor carpi ulnaris along the ulnar border. Extensor pollicis longus angles obliquely across the dorsal radius to form the ulnar margin of the anatomic snuffbox, while extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus define its radial margin. Posterior wrist anatomy matters because dorsal pain and swelling often localize by extensor compartment and carpal interval, and this view gives a clean map for examination and intervention. De Quervain tenosynovitis targets the first dorsal compartment over the radial styloid, while intersection syndrome presents more proximally where abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis cross the extensor carpi radialis tendons. Scapholunate ligament injury, common after a FOOSH mechanism, widens the scapholunate interval and can progress to SLAC wrist, a pattern most clearly taught from the dorsal carpus. Use this posterior wrist plate for upper limb gross anatomy labs, orthopedic and hand surgery teaching on dorsal portals for wrist arthroscopy, and radiology correlations with PA and lateral wrist projections centered on the radiocarpal joint and carpal alignment. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.