Study Materials » A Study On The Wrist Joint!

A Study On The Wrist Joint!

A wrist joint is a type of condyloid synovial of the end part of the upper limb. Here is a brief description of the wrist joint and wrist joint types.

The joint type- condyloid is an altered ball and socket type of joint that permits flexion, stretching, and adduction activities. The role of this wrist joint type is to deliver the range of movement required to satisfactorily perform day-to-day operations while holding a physiologic state of intrinsic resilience. It is achieved, partly, by some osseous articular parts forming the condyloid joint which allows concurrent motion in two perpendicular lines. The ligaments in wrist joint movement permit a broad coverage of movement required to promote the functional usage of a hand.

Structure and Position

  1. The proximal enunciation creates a concave structure consisting of a mixture among the distal part of radius and of that articular disk. The end enunciation is convex. It is composed of –  scaphoid bones, the lunate bones, and the triquetrum bones of the hand. 
  2. There are four ligaments in the wrist joint that are accountable for upholding the strength of this joint- the palmar ligaments and the dorsal radiocarpal with the ulnar ligaments and the radial collateral ones. The palmar ones are the corroborating arrangements, and those ligaments attach that radius to the proximal rows and the distal rows inside the carpal bones. With strength, the ligaments confirm that the hand plus forearm moves concurrently while supination.
  3. Ligament of the dorsal radiocarpal side is identical with the previously stated palmar ligament. This is found on the dorsal part of that wrist joint, with its alternative role is to assure that one’s hand movement is with the forearm in pronation. 
  4. One double-layered joint capsule surrounds the wrist joint type and is normal amongst synovial joints. Outer layer of that joint is fibrous with links to the bones. The interior layer composes one synovial membrane that gives out synovial fluid plus greases the joint.

Embryology

  1. From mesenchyme in each limb bud, the wrist joint type is formed at 5 and 6  weeks inside the womb. The Hox transcription induces the formation of the synovial joint at particular parts. Those segments then create one joint Interzone composed of consolidated chondrogenic precursors.
  2. The Interzone, cavitates to create a space. The Interzone should decrease cellularity. After the process of cavitation, morphogenesis ensues under the impact of various patterning signals for building the proper form of the ligaments in the wrist joint. The two opposite ends of Interzone discern into cartilage, with surrounding mesoderm reduced to create a joint capsule.

A little more complicated procedure happens to create one final joint. Firstly, the lunate bone is between the growing radius and the ulnar ones. The ulna creates an articulating cover within that joint.

The system of Blood Supply with Lymphatics

Blood supply for the forearm and limb appears via the ulnar arteries with the radial ones too. Both arteries supply vasculature for the joint via infiltrating branches.

Lymphatic drainage happens through lymphatic vessels which link to epitrochlear nodes, finally axillary nodes.

Bones of the wrist

The bones in the wrist joint consist of:

  • Distal radius and ulna: The distal ulna is not technically an element of the wrist, as it enunciates distally with the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC).
  • five proximal metacarpals 
  • eight carpal bones, set in two rows:
  1. Proximal row: scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform
  2. Distal row: trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate

There are many mnemonics to help remember the order and place of the carpal bones in that wrist joint.

Wrist and hand bone injuries 

Some wrist, hand, and finger injuries and disorders include:

  • Sprain. A sprain happens when you rip or pull a ligament.
  • Impaction syndrome. Also called the ulnocarpal abutment, this wrist situation occurs when the ulna arm bone is a little longer than the radius. 
  • Arthritis pain. Arthritis can occur in any wrist, hand, or finger joint. It can ensue from everyday wear and rip or an injury to the wrist. 
  • Fracture. You can crack any bones in your wrist, hand, or fingers from a slip or additional damage.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome. This syndrome happens when the median nerve is squeezed. Carpal tunnel syndrome can result from recounted overextension of the wrist.

Conclusion

The wrist joint refers to the radiocarpal joint, which is the enunciation between the distal end of the radius and the articulating surface of the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetral bones. Other articulations in the wrist area comprise the distal radius and ulnar, and the carpal bones. Medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior ligaments support the joint. Anteriorly, the flexor tendons attach to the wrist, and the median and ulnar nerves are near these tendons. The radial artery ranges laterally, and the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve runs medially. Because many wrist joint types have interconnecting synovial spaces, relief in the wrist may be obtained by one injection.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the USMLE Examination Preparation.

What is the wrist joint type?

The wrist joint, referred to as the radiocarpal joint, is a condyloid synovial joint of the distal upper limb that l...Read full

How does the wrist move?

On average, the wrist curves at an angle of 30 to 35 degrees rearward during stretching and 5 to 10 degrees ahead du...Read full

What is wrist flexion?

Wrist flexion is the movement of flexing your hand down at the wrist so that your palm faces in toward your arm. It’s part of the usual scope...Read full

What muscles control your wrist?

The two essential muscles are flexor carpi radialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris. They both emerge from the medial epic...Read full