1. The Wrist and Hand Joints
Anatomy and Kinesiology
420:024

2. The Wrist and Hand Joints
Many sports require precise functioning of wrist & hand
Archery, bowling, golf, baseball, tennis, etc. require combined use of wrist & hand joints
Very complex
29 bones
25 joints
33 muscles

3. Objectives
Bones, bony landmarks and joints
Muscles
Movements

4. Bones 29 bones, including radius & ulna
Carpals (8)
Two rows of 4 bones
Metacarpals (5)
Numbered 1-5
Phalanges (14)
Three for each finger
Two for the thumb
Thumb has a sesamoid bone in its flexor tendon
Other sesamoids may occur in joints of fingers

6. Bones Carpal bones form a three-sided arch Concave on palmar side
creates the carpal tunnel
Frequently a source of problems known as carpal tunnel syndrome

8. Wrist and Hand Joints Radiocarpal joint Biaxial ball and socket
Intercarpal joints
Gliding/nonaxial
Carpometacarpal joints
Fingers – Gliding/nonaxial
Thumb – Biaxial saddle

10. Wrist and Hand Joints Metacarpophalangeal joints
Fingers – Biaxial ball and socket
Thumb – Uniaxial hinge
Proximal interphalangeal joints
Fingers – Uniaxial hinge
Distal interphalangeal joints
Fingers – Uniaxial hinge
Interphalangeal joint

13. Objectives
Bones, bony landmarks and joint
Muscles
Movements

14. Wrist and Hand Muscles Extrinsic muscles (15) Intrinsic muscles (18)
All multiarticular
Elbow/wrist/hand (1)
Elbow/wrist (6)
Wrist/hand (8)
Intrinsic muscles (18)

15. Extrinsic Wrist and Hand Muscles (15)
Elbow, Wrist and Hand (3)
Elbow flexion, wrist flexion, finger flexion (1)
Elbow extension, wrist extension, finger extension (2)
Fingers 2, 3, 4, 5
Pinky
Elbow and Wrist (6)
Elbow flexion, wrist flexion (3)
1 wrist abductor
1 wrist adductor
1 flexor only
Elbow flexion, wrist extension (2)
Elbow extension, wrist extension (1)
Wrist adductor
Wrist and Hand (6)
Wrist flexion, finger flexion (1)
Wrist flexion, thumb flexion (1)
Wrist abductor
Wrist extension, index finger extension (1)
Wrist extension, thumb extension (2)
Wrist abductors
Wrist flexion, thumb abduction (1)

16. Attachments Elbow, Wrist and Hand (3)
Elbow flexion, wrist flexion, finger flexion (1)
Elbow extension, wrist extension, finger extension (2)
Fingers 2, 3, 4, 5
Pinky

18. Attachments Elbow, Wrist and Hand (3)
Elbow flexion, wrist flexion, finger flexion (1)
Elbow extension, wrist extension, finger extension (2)
Fingers 2, 3, 4, 5
Pinky

21. Attachments Elbow and Wrist (6) Elbow flexion, wrist flexion (3)
1 wrist abductor
1 wrist adductor
1 flexor only
Elbow flexion, wrist extension (2)
Elbow extension, wrist extension (1)
Wrist adductor

25. Attachments Elbow and Wrist (6) Elbow flexion, wrist flexion (3)
1 wrist abductor
1 wrist adductor
1 flexor only
Elbow flexion, wrist extension (2)
Elbow extension, wrist extension (1)
Wrist adductor

28. Attachments Elbow and Wrist (6) Elbow flexion, wrist flexion (3)
1 wrist abductor
1 wrist adductor
1 flexor only
Elbow flexion, wrist extension (2)
Elbow extension, wrist extension (1)
Wrist adductor

30. Attachment Rules Elbow/Wrist/Hand and Elbow/Wrist Muscles
Wrist Flexors
Proximal: Medial or Lateral epicondyle of humerus
Distal: Depends
Wrist Extensors

31. Attachments Wrist and Hand (6) Wrist flexion, finger flexion (1)
Wrist flexion, thumb flexion (1)
Wrist abductor
Wrist flexion, thumb abduction (1)
Wrist extension, index finger extension (1)
Wrist extension, thumb extension (2)
Wrist abductors

35. Attachments Wrist and Hand (6) Wrist flexion, finger flexion (1)
Wrist flexion, thumb flexion (1)
Wrist abductor
Wrist flexion, thumb abduction (1)
Wrist extension, index finger extension (1)
Wrist extension, thumb extension (2)
Wrist abductors

38. Attachment Rules Wrist/Hand Muscles Wrist Flexors Wrist Extensors
Proximal: Anterior or Posterior forearm
Distal: Depends
Wrist Extensors

39. Intrinsic Muscles (18)