Anatomy of the Wrist

The wrist is the flexible connection between your forearm and your hand. The wrist consists of a double row of small bones that are intertwined to form a movable hinge. The eight wrist bones are called carpals, these bones are covered on the palm side by a thick ligament, forming the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is the passageway for the tendons and nerves of the hand.

The two bones of the lower arm, known as the radius and the ulna, meet at the hand to complete the wrist. The median and ulnar nerves are the major nerves of your hand. They run the length of your arm to transmit electrical impulses to and from your brain, creating both movement and sensation.

In all, there are 27 bones in the hand and wrist. In addition, the hand contains an intricate network of muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels, all packed into a very tight space.