Female Wrist, Posterior View

Description

Dorsal (posterior) wrist anatomy is presented with the distal radius and ulna forming the radiocarpal joint above the proximal carpal row, where the scaphoid and lunate lie more laterally and centrally and the triquetrum sits ulnarly beneath the ulna. Spanning transversely across the dorsum, the extensor retinaculum tethers the extensor tendons against the distal forearm, creating the characteristic six osteofibrous compartments from radial to ulnar side. Radially, the tendons of abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis occupy the first compartment, while extensor pollicis longus angles obliquely toward the thumb after passing through the third compartment over Lister’s tubercle on the dorsal radius. This posterior view matters because so much wrist pain localizes to the retinacular compartments rather than the joint itself. The first dorsal compartment is the site of de Quervain tenosynovitis, and the intersection region where abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis cross over extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis can produce dorsal radial forearm pain in repetitive wrist extension. Dorsal ganglion cysts also commonly arise near the scapholunate interval and present just distal to the extensor retinaculum. Common problems. Commonly missed. Use this asset for teaching the extensor compartments in gross anatomy and hand surgery curricula, for illustrating physical exam landmarks such as Lister’s tubercle and the anatomic snuffbox, or for publications on dorsal wrist injections, tenosynovitis, and ganglion management in a clinical setting. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.