Ossification centres of the wrist

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 20 Oct 2020

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Yap K, Hacking C, Jones J, et al. Ossification centres of the wrist. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12232

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12232

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/12232

rID:

12232

Article created:

1 Nov 2010, Ki Yap

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Ki Yap had no recorded disclosures.

View Ki Yap's current disclosures

Last revised:

20 Oct 2020, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Revisions:

7 times, by 5 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Anatomy

Tags:

wrist, upper limb, refs

Synonyms:

Carpal bone ossification centers
Carpal bone ossification center sequence
Ossification of the carpal bones
Wrist ossification centres
Ossification centres of the distal radius and ulna
Distal radius ossification
Distal ulna ossification

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 an anti-clockwise direction on the volar surface of the right carpus.