Scaphoid

Assoc Prof Craig Hacking ◉ ◈ and Dr Henry Knipe ◉ ◈ et al.

The scaphoid (also known as the os scaphoideum or - historically - as the navicular) is the largest of the proximal row of carpal bones and forms the radial portion of the carpal tunnel. It is important for stability and movement at the wrist and may be fractured after a fall onto a hyperextended hand. Scaphoid fractures may be radiologically-occult in the acute setting and may result in avascular necrosis.

The scaphoid is the largest of the proximal row of carpal bones and sits on the radial side of the lunate. It is a boat-shaped bone that is oriented obliquely with its long axis aligned from the medial portion of the distal radius proximally to the articulation of the 1^st and 2^nd metacarpals distally.

The scaphoid can be divided into proximal and distal poles. The waist (between the two) is the commonest site of scaphoid fracture. The scaphoid tubercle is a bony prominence on the ventral surface of the lateral portion of the distal pole.

Articulations

The scaphoid articulates with five bones: the radius, trapezoid, trapezium, lunate and capitate.

proximal surface: radius
distal surface: laterally with the trapezoid and trapezium; medially with the capitate
ulnar surface: lunate

Proximally, the smooth convex surface of the scaphoid articulates with the distal radius.

The distal surface is split into two separate articular surfaces by a bony ridge. Radially, it articulates with the trapezoid and trapezium while on the ulnar side, it articulates with the capitate.

The medial surface has a concave appearance and articulates with the lunate.

Attachments

Musculotendinous

There are no musculotendinous attachments to the scaphoid bone.

Ligamentous

dorsal surface: dorsal radiocarpal ligament
radial surface: radial collateral ligament
scapholunate ligament
radioscapholunate ligament
scaphocapitate ligament
transverse carpal ligament ⁴

Relations

The radial artery crosses the dorsal surface of the scaphoid.

The scaphoid forms the radial portion of the carpal tunnel and is therefore related to the structures that pass through it, namely fibers from flexor digitorum profundus and superficialis, the median nerve, flexor pollicis longus and flexor carpi radialis.

Also located in the vicinity are the muscles of the thumb and associated tendons.

Arterial supply

Approximately 75% of the arterial supply is from branches of the radial artery through vascular perforations on the dorsal surface near the tubercle and waist ². As the vascular supply to the proximal pole is mainly retrograde, a fracture through the tubercle or the waist places the proximal pole at risk of avascular necrosis.

Variant anatomy

bipartite scaphoid
tripartite scaphoid ⁵
coalition with neighboring bones (rare)
scaphoid hypoplasia (as long as not associated with other skeletal dysplasias)

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

The scaphoid is the most radial of the proximal row of carpals, articulating with the distal radius, lunate and capitate. On the lateral view, it is projected through the carpus.

Development

Ossification

The scaphoid has a single ossification center, as do the trapezoid and trapezium. Ossification begins around the 4^th year, and as with most ossification in the hand and wrist, it tends to occur earlier in females.