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Bone Hand & Wrist

Scaphoid

os scaphoideum

The scaphoid is the largest proximal carpal bone and the most commonly fractured wrist bone, lying at the base of the anatomical snuffbox and bridging the proximal and distal carpal rows — its tenuous blood supply makes fractures prone to avascular necrosis.

Region: Hand & Wrist
Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone (70 percent of carpal fractures) and its blood supply enters distally, making the proximal pole vulnerable to avascular necrosis after fractures through the waist. Scaphoid fractures are notorious for being missed on initial radiographs — 20 to 30 percent are invisible acutely, and MRI is the gold standard for detecting occult fractures. Non-union from missed or displaced fractures leads to the scaphoid non-union advanced collapse (SNAC) pattern of wrist arthritis.

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