Capitate Bone, Anterior View

Description

Centered in the distal carpal row, the capitate is presented from an anterior (palmar) aspect with its rounded head positioned proximally and its narrowed neck tapering into the broader body distally. Medially, it lies adjacent to the hamate and laterally it approximates the trapezoid, while proximally the capitate head contributes to the midcarpal joint against the scaphoid and lunate. Distally, its articular surface meets the base of the third metacarpal, with contiguous relationships to the second and fourth metacarpal bases along its lateral and medial margins. Palmar viewing clarifies the capitate as the keystone of the carpus, a reliable landmark when teaching carpal row alignment and the column concept of the wrist. Loss of its normal position relative to the lunate is a defining feature in perilunate dislocation patterns, where the capitate may dorsally displace while the lunate remains aligned with the distal radius. A short bone. Big consequences. The capitate also matters in scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) and scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC), where progressive midcarpal degeneration often involves the capitate head and drives pain with grip and extension. Use this asset in gross anatomy and orthopaedic teaching to orient learners to carpal bone identification, midcarpal joint surfaces, and the capitate’s distal articulation with the third metacarpal. It also fits hand surgery texts, emergency medicine training on carpal instability, and radiology atlases correlating palmar anatomy with PA and oblique wrist projections. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.