The scaphoid bone is one of the wrist bones that takes its name from the fact that its shape resembles a boat. It connects with many other bones, in addition, the navicular bone is the attachment of various ligaments. It is also characteristic in her case that among all the bones of the wrist it is the scaphoid bone that most often breaks.
The scaphoid bone is part of the upper limb bone, more specifically the wrist bone. It is located in the proximal row of the wrist bone on the lateral side and is the largest bone in this row. In general, the shape of the scaphoid bone resembles a boat. This bone - as you can easily guess - is small, its size can be compared to the size of a cashew nut.
Sometimes the navicular bone is sometimes called the navicular bone - however, the use of this term when discussing the bones of the upper limb is a mistake. The navicular bone is a separate structure and belongs to the tarsal bone.
Navicular bone: construction
The scaphoid bone is distinguished by an irregular cube-like shape, and finally six surfaces stand out within it. The upper and lower surfaces are articular surfaces - the lower surface connects to the trapezius bones (smaller and larger), and the upper surface connects to the radius bone.
The ulnar surface of the scaphoid bone connects to the other bones of the wrist - the capitate bone and the lunate bone. The radial and dorsal surfaces are special because ligaments attach to them.
The palmar surface of the scaphoid bone has a tubular tubercle of the scaphoid bone, to which the flexor retainer attaches, and the tubercle is also an attachment of the short abductor muscle of the thumb.
In anatomical terms, the scaphoid bone can be divided into three parts, which are:
- far pole,
- waist
- and the pole closer to the scaphoid bone.
Navicular Bone: Features
The basic function of the scaphoid bone is to form - along with other bones - the bony scaffolding of the wrist. It connects a series of proximal and distal carpal bones, therefore it is believed that the navicular bone is responsible for maintaining the stability of the wrist. The bone is the site of the attachment of important ligamentsand muscles, and is involved in various wrist movements.
Navicular bone: fractures
The most common pathologies that may affect the scaphoid bone are fractures. In general, of all the bones of the wrist, the scaphoid is the one that breaks the most often, usually due to a fall on an outstretched arm.
A scaphoid fracture may be suspected when a patient who has fallen on an extended arm complains of pain in the wrist on the radial side (thumb side), limited wrist mobility and swelling in the area of the scaphoid bone.
Some abnormalities suggesting the problem can be found during ordinary physical examination (such as palpation tenderness at the base of the thumb), suspecting a scaphoid fracture, but additional imaging examinations are always necessary.
Wrist X-rays are typically performed in this case - sometimes X-rays in several different projections are ordered at once, because the navicular bone is simply small, and when it breaks, its small fragments can very closely fit together and not be visible in any wrist projection.
Treatment of scaphoid fractures may be different - for uncomplicated injuries, the use of a plaster cast is usually sufficient. However, if the patient, apart from the fracture, suffers from significant soft tissue damage or if the fracture is displaced, it may become necessary to undergo surgery.
- Wrist pain - causes
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: symptoms, treatment and rehabilitation
- Unrecognized wrist bone fractures may lead to pseudo-joint formation