Ossification centres of the wrist
Ossification of the wrist can be divided into two components:
- carpal bone ossification centres
- distal radial and ulna ossification centres
Ossification of the carpal bones
Ossification of the carpal bones occurs in a predictable sequence, starting with the capitate and ending with the pisiform.
At birth, there is no calcification in the carpal bones. Although there is great individual variability, approximate ossification times are as follows 1:
- capitate: 1-3 months
- hamate: 2-4 months
- triquetrum: 2-3 years
- lunate: 2-4 years
- scaphoid: 4-6 years
- trapezium: 4-6 years
- trapezoid: 4-6 years
- pisiform: 8-12 years
Excluding the pisiform, a handy way to remember the order of ossification is to start at the capitate then move in a counterclockwise direction on the volar surface of the right carpus.
Ossification centres of the distal radius and ulna
- distal radius: 1 year
- distal ulna: 5-6 years
Related articles
Upper limb anatomy
-
skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- carpal bones (mnemonic)
- metacarpals
- phalanges
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
-
accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- epilunate
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
-
shoulder joint
- articulations
- sternoclavicular joint
- acromioclavicular joint
- glenohumeral joint
- scapulocostal joint (scapulothoracic joint)
- suprahumeral joint
- variants
- associated structures
-
movements
- scapular retraction (adduction)
- scapular protraction (abduction)
- scapular elevation
- scapular depression
- arm abduction
- arm adduction
- arm flexion
- arm extension
- arm internal rotation (medial)
- arm external rotation (lateral)
- blood supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centres
- articulations
-
elbow joint
- ligaments
- associated structures
- alignment
- development
-
wrist joint
- articulations
- ligaments
- associated structures
- alignment
- ossification
-
hand joints
- movements
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
-
metacarpophalangeal joint
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
-
interphalangeal joint
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
-
shoulder joint
- spaces of the upper limb
- muscles of the upper limb
- shoulder girdle
- anterior compartment of the arm
- posterior compartment of the arm
- anterior compartment of the forearm
- posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
-
hand (mnemonic)
- thenar (lateral)
- hypothenar (medial)
- intermediate
- accessory muscles
- blood supply to the upper limb
-
arteries
-
subclavian artery (mnemonic)
-
axillary artery
- posterior humeral circumflex artery
- anterior humeral circumflex artery
- subscapular artery
- lateral thoracic artery
- thoracoacromial artery
-
brachial artery (proximal portion)
- deep brachial artery
- superior ulnar collateral
- inferior ulnar collateral
- ulnar artery
- radial artery
-
axillary artery
-
subclavian artery (mnemonic)
- veins
-
arteries
- innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
-
brachial plexus (mnemonic)
- branches from the roots
- branches from the trunks
- branches from the cords
- lateral cord
- posterior cord
- medial cord
- terminal branches
- lymphatic drainage of the upper limb
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