Bipartite carpals is when one of the carpal bones has divided into two seperate parts. This is considered a normal variant within the wrist. Typically the most frequent bipartite carpals are the scaphoid or triquetrum. However it theoretically can occur in any carpal bone, including the hamate
Clinical significance
Whilst the clinical significance of a bipartite hamate remains to be fully understood, there is ongoing case literature that it may be implicated in higher rates of carpal tunnel syndrome1.
Epidemiology
A bipartite hamate occurs in approximately anywhere from 0.1-1% in the population, making it a relatively uncommon variation1,2