Scaphoid

Last revised by Calum Worsley on 30 Mar 2023

The scaphoid (also known as the os scaphoideum or - historically - as the navicular) 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 hyperextended hand. Scaphoid fractures may be radiologically-occult in the acute setting and may result in avascular necrosis

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 oriented 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.

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

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

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

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

There are no musculotendinous attachments to the scaphoid bone.

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 fibers from flexor digitorum profundus and superficialis, the median nerveflexor pollicis longus and flexor carpi radialis.

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

Approximately 75% of the arterial supply is from branches of the radial artery through vascular perforations on the dorsal surface near the tubercle and waist 2. As the vascular supply to the proximal pole is mainly retrograde, a fracture through the tubercle or the waist places the proximal pole at risk of avascular necrosis.8

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.

The scaphoid has a single ossification center, as do the trapezoid and trapezium. Ossification begins around the 5th year, and completes at 13 to 15 years of age 7. As with most ossification in the hand and wrist, it tends to occur earlier in females.

The term derives from the Ancient Greek word σκαφη (skaphe) meaning boat 6.

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

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