Lunate bone
| Lunate bone | |
|---|---|
 | |
 The left lunate bone | |
| Details | |
| Articulations | radius proximally capitate and hamate distally scaphoid laterally triangular medially |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | os lunatum |
| MeSH | D012667 |
| TA98 | A02.4.08.005 |
| TA2 | 1252 |
| FMA | 23712 |
| Anatomical terms of bone | |
The lunate bone (semilunar bone) is a wrist bone in the human hand that may be distinguished by its deep concavity and crescentic outline. It is situated in the center of the proximal row of the carpus, or wrist, between the scaphoid and triangular bone.
The etymology derives from the Latin luna which means "moon."
Surfaces
The superior surface, convex and smooth, articulates with the radius.
The inferior surface is deeply concave, and of greater extent from before backward than transversely: it articulates with the head of the capitate, and, by a long, narrow facet (separated by a ridge from the general surface), with the hamate.
The dorsal and palmar surfaces are rough, for the attachment of ligaments, the former being the broader, and of a somewhat rounded form.
The lateral surface presents a narrow, flattened, semilunar facet for articulation with the scaphoid.
The medial surface is marked by a smooth, quadrilateral facet, for articulation with the triangular bone.
Clinical relevance
The lunate bone is the most frequently dislocated carpal bone.
See also
Additional images
-
Bones of the left hand. Volar surface. -
Bones of the left hand. Dorsal surface.
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 224 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)