wrist

The wrist is a complex joint structure on the human hand. Because of this complexity, the wrist shows a great variety of functions.

What is the wrist

When naming the Wrist it is a colloquial term because, according to an exact definition, the wrist consists of different partial joints.

With the finger joints, the wrist represents the various joints of a human hand. Since the wrist has a multitude of possible functions, it is characterized by a pronounced complexity. The wrist owes its functional diversity to the precise interaction of the individual partial joints.

Historically, only humans have fully developed the ability to turn their forearms. This skill is an important prerequisite for using the hand as a gripping tool.

Due to its variety of bones and structures, the wrist is very sensitive to injuries, especially if the hand falls. In addition, the wrist is subject to an increased risk of being overstrained because of its various stresses.

Anatomy & structure

The wrist From an anatomical point of view, it consists of different subunits. A first subunit on the thumb side is the so-called spoke, a bone of the forearm.

The wrist unit of the spoke is complemented by a series of carpal bones known as the lunar bones, scaphoid bones, and triangular bones. A second unit of the wrist is located between the above-mentioned carpal bones first row and other carpal bones (main bone, hook bone and large and small polygonal bone), which are referred to as second row bones.

A functionally important part of the wrist is also the forearm bone ulna on the little finger side in connection with its stylus process. The wrist gets its stability from the surrounding tendons and ligaments. The muscles associated with the corresponding tendons are only found on the forearm.

Function & tasks

The various partial joints that make up the wrist put together, allow the various functions and tasks of the joint.

The cooperation of the partial joints enables, for example, a flexion of the wrist in the direction of the palm of the hand (also called palmar flexion in medicine). Such a flexion is possible in healthy people up to an angle of approx. 80 °. In addition, the partial joints can be used to stretch the wrist in the opposite direction (the direction of the back of the hand). Corresponding stretching is also known as what is known as dorsiflexion. Finally, the wrist can also be spread sideways in the direction of the thumb or little finger. With a functional wrist, a corresponding spreading can reach radii of approx. 30 - 40 °.

With its diverse functions, the wrist takes on, among other things, the tasks of bringing the hand into a desired position and keeping it there with sufficient stability. For example, the functions of the wrist form the basis of hand and finger movements such as gripping and firm gripping as well as the stable precision grip.

You can find your medication here

Illnesses & ailments

Possible complaints on wristcan be caused by illnesses as well as injuries. One of the most common diseases that occur in the wrist is, for example, the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome, which is characterized by nerve compression at the level of the wrist.

A carpal tunnel syndrome on the wrist usually manifests itself initially in pain that radiates into the arm - as the process progresses, muscle wasting on the ball of the thumb can occur. Possible causes that can be hidden behind this syndrome on the wrist are, for example, excessive strain or broken bones near the wrist. Tendonitis can also affect the wrist - here the inflammation usually manifests itself as sharp pain.

If there is a so-called ganglion on the wrist, it is a benign tumor on the joint capsule. Often the causes of a corresponding ganglion on the wrist cannot be clearly diagnosed. Another disease that can affect the wrist is osteoarthritis (which is also known colloquially as joint wear and tear).

Frequent injuries that can occur on the wrist as a result of external forces are ultimately among other things fractures (broken bones) of the spoke near the joint as well as torn ligaments - basically every bone of the wrist can be affected by bone fractures.