Surface Anatomy of Forearm & Wrist

The prominent, easily palpable bony landmark on the posterior aspect of the forearm. It extends from the olecranon to the styloid process, forming a longitudinal furrow when the elbow is flexed.

The bony landmark on the medial (inner) side of the wrist, easily felt when the hand is pronated.

The bony projection on the posteromedial (back and inner) aspect of the ulna, near the wrist. Can be palpated and used to identify ulnar fractures.

The lower expanded end of the radius, forming a slight surface elevation on the lateral (outer) side of the wrist. Can be traced down to the styloid process.

The bony projection on the lateral (outer) side of the radius, close to the wrist. Palpable and used to identify radial fractures.

A small, palpable bony prominence on the palmar (front) aspect of the wrist, at the base of the little finger.

A fracture of the lower end of the radius with displacement, causing the styloid processes of the radius and ulna to align on the same plane.

A bony projection on the posterior aspect of the lower end of the radius, palpable and grooved by the tendon of extensor pollicis longus.

The hook of the hamate is a bony landmark on the palmar side of the wrist. It can be palpated 2.5 cm distal to the pisiform bone, in line with the ulnar border of the ring finger. Deep pressure on this area may also reveal the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve.

The tubercle of the scaphoid bone can be found at the base of the thenar eminence. It often forms a small visible elevation on the thumb side of the wrist.

The crest of the trapezium lies distal to the tubercle of the scaphoid, deep to the thenar eminence muscles. Deep pressure can help identify it.

The scaphoid and trapezium can also be palpated in the anatomical snuffbox, which is a depression on the radial side of the wrist, formed by tendons.

The wrist joint is located between the carpus and the distal ends of the radius and ulna. It can be identified by the movement of flexion and extension of the wrist, even though it is covered by tendons.

The line of the wrist joint corresponds to a line connecting the styloid process of the radius to the styloid process of the ulna. It is delineated by the proximal of the two transverse anterior wrist skin creases.

The cubital fossa is a depression found on the anterior aspect of the elbow. It is bordered medially by the pronator teres muscle and laterally by the brachioradialis muscle. The superior border is formed by the humerus.

The brachioradialis muscle is the most superficial muscle on the lateral side of the forearm. Its prominence can be observed by flexing the elbow against resistance in a semi-prone position, creating a ridge extending beyond the elbow joint on the lateral side of the arm.

The median nerve enters the forearm on the medial side of the brachial artery and runs vertically downwards in the midline of the limb. At the wrist, it lies exactly in the midline and projects from under the palmaris longus tendon on its radial side.

The ulnar nerve in the forearm follows a line drawn from the base of the medial epicondyle of the humerus to the radial side of the pisiform bone. Deep pressure at both these bony landmarks produces paresthesia.

The ulnar artery starts in the midline of the forearm opposite the neck of the radius. Its upper course can be represented by a line passing downwards and medially across the elevation of the superficial flexor muscles, reaching the radial side of the ulnar nerve in the lower two-thirds of the forearm. The rest of its course in the forearm lies along the radial side of the ulnar nerve.

The radial artery begins opposite the neck of the radius on the medial side of the biceps tendon. It runs downwards and radially through the forearm to the wrist, where its pulsation can be felt between the flexor carpi radialis tendon and the anterior border of the radius. It continues distally across the lower end of the radius, passes posteriorly to the tendons of abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis, and enters the 'snuffbox' where its pulsation is again palpable.

The upper part of the line representing the course of the radial artery passes deep to the medial part of the brachioradialis muscle on the anterior aspect of the forearm.

A prominent groove on the posterior surface of the forearm, located between the two muscle groups responsible for wrist flexion and extension. It is a landmark used to identify these muscle groups.

A distinct depression on the lateral side of the wrist, visible when the thumb is fully extended. It is located immediately distal to the radial styloid process.

A bony projection on the lateral aspect of the wrist, located near the base of the thumb. It can be palpated during thumb movements, specifically circumduction.

A tendon that runs along the back of the hand, visible when fingers are fully extended. It helps straighten the fingers.

The collection of tendons located within the six extensor compartments of the wrist. These tendons are responsible for various wrist and finger movements.

A condition characterized by inflammation of the tendons that control thumb movements, specifically abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis. It causes pain and tenderness on the radial side of the wrist.

A prominent bony landmark located on the posterior aspect of the lower end of the radius. It is palpable and serves as a point of reference for the tendons of extensor pollicis longus.

A tendon that crosses the wrist, located on the ulnar side. It can be palpated when the wrist is extended and deviated to the ulnar side.

The posterior interosseous nerve originates near the lateral epicondyle, winds around the upper end of the radius, and supplies all extensor muscles of the forearm except brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus.

The posterior interosseous nerve passes downwards and posteriorly, supplying all the extensor muscles of the forearm except brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus, which are supplied by the radial nerve before it divides.

The posterior interosseous nerve runs along the radial side of the radial artery in the middle third of the forearm.

The posterior interosseous nerve winds around the lateral side of the radius between the two planes of fibers of the supinator muscle.

The posterior interosseous nerve ends as a flattened pseudoganglion on the dorsum of the wrist, distributing filaments to the ligaments and joints of the carpus.

The posterior interosseous nerve can be palpated along the dorsal aspect of the head of the radius.

The posterior interosseous nerve winds around the radius approximately 2.5 cm distal to the radial head.

Injury to the posterior interosseous nerve can cause weakness or paralysis of the extensor muscles in the forearm, leading to difficulties with wrist and finger extension.

The thick, fibrous band that covers the carpal bones on the palmar (front) side of the wrist.

The fleshy elevation on the thumb side of the palm, formed by the abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis muscles.

The fleshy elevation on the little finger side of the palm, formed by the corresponding muscles of the little finger.

The saddle-shaped joint between the trapezium bone and the base of the first metacarpal bone, allowing for the thumb's wide range of movement.