The Wrist Joint - Computational Biomechanics of the Wrist Joint - page 1

Chapter 1
The Wrist Joint

Abstract In this chapter, information on the wrist anatomy, kinematics and its
mechanical behaviours is presented. It commences with a brief explanation on the
complexity of the joint, which covers the structure of its hard and soft tissues. All the
eight bones constructing the joint were categorized into several groups according to
their respective positions. The associated tendons together with five main muscles
were well identified in the literature, and thus sufficiently presented in this chapter.
This complex joint with numerous articulations appears with many articular cartilages,
thus the function are thoroughly explained in this chapter. Further details are presented
in the following subsections, which cover description on the structure of each bone, the
elements constructing the articular cartilage together with the associated pathology
condition and the ligamentous structure. All of these components are essential to bring
functions to the joint, allowing its mobility and sustainability. Information on the
kinematics of the joint is presented in the last sub-section. This chapter provides
sufficient information to assist understanding for the subsequent chapters.

joint Carpal bones Articular cartilage Ligamentous

Keywords Wrist

structure Kinematics

1.1 Anatomy of the Wrist Joint

The wrist joint complex consists of multiple articulations of the eight carpal bones
with the distal radius, the structure within the ulnocarpal space, the metacarpals, and
each other. The eight carpal bones are hamate, capitates, trapezoid, trapezium,
triquetrum, pisiform, lunate and scaphoid, which together are also referred to as the
carpus. The soft tissue structures surrounding the carpal bones include the tendons
that cross the carpus or attach to it and the ligamentous structures that connect the
carpal bones to each other and the bony elements of the hand and forearm [ 1 ].