Capitate

Description

• General
  • The largest of the carpal bones.<ref>Doyle J, Botte M. Surgical Anatomy of the Hand and Upper Extremity. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2003: 57-59. /ref>
  • Located at the center of the distal carpal row.
  • It has a protected position in the carpus making isolated fractures unusual.
• Anatomic Description
  • Proximal surface is rounded
  • Distal end has a triangular shape
  • The palmar surface is slightly convex.
  • The Capitate fossa is a concavity on the radial aspect in which the Scaphoid articulates.

---

Actions

• Articulations
  • Scaphoid and Lunate articulates with the proximal surface.
  • Base of third metacarpal articulates with the distal surface.
  • Trapezoid articulates with the lateral surface.
  • Hamate articulates with the medial surface.
• Ligament Attachments
  • radio-scapho-capitate.
  • scapho-capitate.
  • triquetr-ocapitate.
  • trapezio-capitate.
  • capito-hamate.

---

Vascular Supply

• The dorsal intercarpal and dorsal basal metacarpal arches.

---

Clinical Significance

• Capitate Fracture

---

See Also

• Hand and Wrist Anatomy (Main)
• Hand And Wrist Anatomy
• Wrist Pain (Main)

---