Wrist, Anatomy

Description

Anterior wrist anatomy is presented in neutral anatomical position with the forearm supinated and the palm facing forward, bringing the distal radius and ulna into view as they approach the radiocarpal joint. Superficial landmarks expected in this orientation include the palmar skin creases, the thenar and hypothenar eminences, and the distal courses of the flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus tendons at the volar aspect of the carpus. Deep to the flexor retinaculum, the carpal bones form the carpal arch, with the scaphoid and lunate positioned proximally and laterally, and the triquetrum and pisiform more medial, articulating with the distal radius and the triangular fibrocartilage complex on the ulnar side. Clear left to right orientation matters here. For teaching and clinical reference, an anterior view of the wrist aligns with the surface anatomy used during carpal tunnel evaluation, steroid injection planning, and operative approaches that protect the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve and the radial artery in the anatomic snuffbox region laterally. Volar wrist pain often localizes to specific structures in this corridor, including flexor tendon tenosynovitis and median nerve compression beneath the flexor retinaculum, while ulnar-sided symptoms raise concern for TFCC injury at the distal radioulnar joint. The radiocarpal relationships also support explanation of common fracture patterns such as scaphoid waist injury after a fall on an outstretched hand. Use this asset for gross anatomy lab teaching on the carpus, for orthopedics and hand surgery lectures covering radiocarpal biomechanics, and for patient education materials that require accurate depiction of a Black adult female wrist in anterior orientation. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.