The scaphoid bone is one of the carpal bones of the wrist. It is situated between the hand and forearm on the thumb side of the wrist. It forms the radial border of the carpal tunnel. The scaphoid bone is the largest bone of the proximal row of wrist bones, its long axis being from above downward, lateralward, and forward. It is approximately the size and shape of a medium cashew.
The palmar surface of the scaphoid is concave, and forming a tubercle, giving attachment to the transverse carpal ligament. The proximal surface is triangular, smooth and convex, and articulates with the radius and adjacent carpal bones, namely the lunate, capitate, trapezium and trapezoid. The lateral surface is narrow and gives attachment to the radial collateral ligament. The medial surface has two facets, a flattened semi-lunar facet articulating with the lunate bone, and an inferior concave facet, articulating alongside the lunate with the head of the capitate bone. The dorsal surface of the bone is narrow, with a groove running the length of the bone and allowing ligaments to attach, and the surface facing the fingers is smooth and convex, also triangular, and divided into two parts by a slight ridge.
Blood supply
It receives its blood supply primarily from lateral and distal branches of the radial artery, via palmar and dorsal branches. These provide an "abundant" supply to middle and distal bone, but neglects the proximal portion, which relies on :wikt:retrograde|retrograde flow. The dorsal branch supplies the majority of the middle and distal portions, with the palmar branch supplying only the distal third of the bone.
Variation
The dorsal blood supply, particularly of the proximal portion, is highly variable. Sometimes the fibers of the abductor pollicis brevis emerge from the tubercle.
In animals
In reptiles, birds, and amphibians, this bone is instead commonly referred to as the radiale because of its articulation with the radius.
Function
The carpal bones function as a unit to provide a bony superstructure for the hand. The scaphoid is also involved in movement of the wrist. It, along with the lunate, articulates with the radius and ulna to form the major bones involved in movement of the wrist. The scaphoid serves as a link between the two rows of carpal bones. With wrist movement, the scaphoid may flex from its position in the same plane as the forearm to perpendicular.
Clinical significance
Fracture
are the most common of the carpal bone injuries, because of its connections with the two rows of carpal bones. The scaphoid can be slow to heal because of the limited circulation to the bone. Fractures of the scaphoid must be recognized and treated quickly, as prompt treatment by immobilization or surgical fixation increases the likelihood of the bone healing in anatomic alignment, thus avoiding mal-union or non-union. Delays may compromise healing. Failure of the fracture to heal will lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the carpus. One reason for this is because of the "tenuous" blood supply to the proximal segment. Even rapidly immobilized fractures may require surgical treatment, including use of a headless compression screw such as the Herbert screw to bind the two halves together. Healing of the fracture with a non-anatomic deformity can also lead to post-traumatic arthritis. Non-unions can result in loss of blood supply to the proximal pole, which can result in avascular necrosis of the proximal segment. Scaphoid fractures may be difficult to diagnose via plain x-ray, so repeat x-ray may be used at a later date, or cross-sectional imaging via MRI or CT scan.
The scaphoid can be palpated at the base of the anatomical snuff box. It can also be palpated in the volar hand/wrist. Its position is the intersections of the long axes of the four fingers while in a fist, or the base of the thenar eminence. When palpated in this position, the bone will be felt to slide forward during radial deviation and flexion. Clicking of the scaphoid or no anterior translation can indicate scapholunate instability.
Etymology
The etymology of the scaphoid bone is derived from the Greek skaphos, which means "a boat," and the Greek eidos, which means "kind". The name refers to the shape of the bone, supposedly reminiscent of a boat. In older literature about human anatomy, the scaphoid is referred to as the navicular bone of the hand, since there is also a bone in a similar position in the foot which is called the navicular.
