Scaphoid

Changed by Craig Hacking, 16 Jun 2015
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The scaphoid bone (os scaphoideum)is the largest of the proximal row of carpal bones and forms the radial portion of the carpal tunnel.  It is important for stability and movement at the wrist and may be fractured after a fall onto a hyper-extended hand. Scaphoid fracture may be radiologically occult in the acute setting and may result in avascular necrosis. 

Gross anatomy

Osteology

The scaphoid is the largest of the proximal row of carpal bones and sits on the radial side of the lunate. It is a boat-shaped bone that is orientated obliquely with its long axis aligned from the medial portion of the distal radius proximally to the articulation of the 1st and 2nd metacarpals distally.

The scaphoid can be divided into proximal and distal poles. The waist (between the two) is the commonest site of scaphoid fracture. The scaphoid tubercle is a bony prominence on the ventral surface of the lateral portion of the distal pole.

Articulations

The scaphoid articulates with five bones: the radius, trapezoid, trapezium, lunate the capitate.

Proximally, the smooth convex surface of the scaphoid forms articulation with the distal radius.

The distal surface is split into two separate articular surfaces by a bony ridge. Radially, it articulates the with the trapezoid and trapezium while on the ulnar side, it articulates with the capitate.

The medial surface has a concave appearance and articulates with the lunate.

Attachments
Musculotendinous

There are no musculotendinous attachments to the scaphoid bone.

Ligamentous
Relations

The radial artery crosses the dorsal surface of the scaphoid.

The scaphoid forms the radial portion of the carpal tunnel and is therefore related to the structures that pass through it, namely, fibres from flexor digitorum produndus and superficialis, the median nerve, flexor pollicis longus and flexor carpi radialis.

Also located in the vicinity are the muscles of the thumbs and associated tendons.

Blood supply

Approximately 75% of blood supply is from branches of the radial artery through vascular perforations on the dorsal surface near the tubercle and waist 2. Because there is mainly retrograde vascular supply to the proximal pole, a fracture through the tubercle or the waist puts the proximal pole at risk of avascular necrosis.

Variant anatomy

Radiographic features

Plain film

The scaphoid is the most radial of the proximal row of carpals, articulating with the distal radius, lunate and capitate. On the lateral view it is projected through the carpus.

Development

Ossification

The scaphoid has a single ossification centre, as do the trapezoid and trapezium. Ossification begins around the 4th year, and as with most ossification in the hand and wrist, it tends to occur earlier in females.

History and etymology

The term derives from the Greek word "skaphe" meaning boat.

Related investigations

Plain film

The scaphoid may be visualised on a number of series of the distal upper limb including:

Cross-sectional imaging
Nuclear medicine

Related pathology

  • -<li><a href="/articles/hand-radiograph">hand radiograph</a></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/scaphoid-radiograph-series">scaphoid radiograph series</a></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/wrist-radiograph">wrist radiograph</a></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/forearm-radiograph">forearm radiograph</a></li>
  • +<li><a title="Hand series" href="/articles/hand-series">hand radiograph</a></li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/scaphoid-series">scaphoid radiograph series</a></li>
  • +<li><a title="Wrist series" href="/articles/wrist-series">wrist radiograph</a></li>
  • +<li><a title="Forearm series" href="/articles/forearm-series">forearm radiograph</a></li>

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