Want to know the name for each carpal bone off-hand? Scrub up on your latin and learn these 8 handy tips.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The secret to these 8 handy tips is all about understanding the origin of their names. If you know where the Greek and Latin originate from, then it will make a lot more sense when it comes to learning these structures and identifying them in a dissection.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
First let’s take the scaphoid<\/strong>. Greek in origin, it means \u201clike a boat\u201d. If you isolate this bone and rotate it around, what you will discover is that it sort of looks like a boat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Next up is the lunate<\/strong>. This name is Latin in origin; it means \u201clike the moon\u201d. So if we examine this bone in isolation, we can actually see the outline of a half-moon, and with this it will be easier to remember.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Now let’s look at the triquetrum<\/strong>. This bone\u2019s name is Latin in origin \u2014 it means three corners; \u201ctri\u201d meaning three, \u201cquetra\u201d meaning corner. So again, if we take a look at this bone isolation, we can make out a triangular (three-cornered) shape.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The pisiform<\/strong> is up next. Latin in origin, its name means \u201cin the shape of a pea\u201d. The pisiform is a standalone, small, ball-like shaped structure just like a pea. It\u2019s the easiest bone to remember.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The trapezium<\/strong>‘s name is Greek in origin; it means \u201clike a table\u201d. If you view this bone in isolation, the bone roughy resembles a table shape.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The next bone, the trapezoid<\/strong>, means \u201clike a table\u201d also. This one looks a little more like its namesake. Viewing it in isolation you can really make out that table shape.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The capitate<\/strong> bone is up next. Again, Latin in origin, it means \u201clike a head\u201d. This one takes a little more imagination than the others, but once again, looking at it in isolation, you should be able to make out a head shape.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The final bone we\u2019re going to look at is the hamate<\/strong>. Another name that’s Latin in origin, meaning \u201clike a hook\u201d. If you isolate this bone and view it from the side, you can make out the hook-like structure sticking out of this bone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n So that’s all the bones of the wrist covered. Like I said before, if you know your Greek and Latin you’ll always have these names at hand. But if you don’t, don’t worry \u2013 just remember these simple tips and you\u2019ll be sorted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"