Female Wrist, Posterior View

Description

Posterior wrist anatomy is presented with the distal radius and ulna forming the radiocarpal region, their styloid processes projecting distally on the lateral (radial) and medial (ulnar) sides. Across the dorsum of the carpus, the extensor retinaculum spans transversely, tethering the extensor tendons as they pass in defined compartments toward the metacarpals. The dorsal contours of the scaphoid and lunate lie deep and proximal on the radial side, while the triquetrum and pisiform relate more ulnarly, with the ulnar head and distal radioulnar joint positioned medial to the radius. A posterior view is where bony landmarks and tendon compartments line up with common dorsal wrist pain generators. Intersection syndrome classically localizes a few centimeters proximal to the extensor retinaculum where the first extensor compartment (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis) crosses the second compartment (extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis). The ulnar styloid and dorsal ulnocarpal region also orient evaluation of triangular fibrocartilage complex injury and distal radioulnar joint instability after a fall on an outstretched hand. Use this artwork for gross anatomy teaching on the carpal region, for hand surgery or sports medicine texts describing extensor compartment pathology, and for patient education diagrams explaining dorsal wrist sprains, tendinopathy, or post-fracture landmark changes. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.