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Carpal bones quiz: test your wrist anatomy knowledge

Quick, free wrist bones quiz to check your recall. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Saleh El SaidaweyUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for carpal bones quiz on dark blue background

This carpal bones quiz helps you practice naming the wrist bones and spot each carpal on diagrams. Use it to check your recall, find small gaps, and get instant feedback as you go. For more practice, try the carpal bones labeling quiz, strengthen forearm basics with the radius and ulna quiz, or review the region with an upper limb bones quiz.

Which carpal bone directly articulates with the radius to form most of the radiocarpal joint surface?
Scaphoid
Capitate
Hamate
Pisiform
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The pisiform is a sesamoid bone within the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris.
False
True
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Which row contains the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate?
Proximal row
Distal row
Central row
Radial row
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The lunate primarily articulates proximally with which bone?
Radius
Second metacarpal
Trapezium
Ulna
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The hamulus is a hook-like projection on the palmar surface of the hamate.
True
False
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Which carpal bone most commonly sustains a fracture from a fall on an outstretched hand in young adults?
Trapezoid
Pisiform
Scaphoid
Triquetrum
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Which carpal bone is the largest?
Capitate
Lunate
Hamate
Trapezoid
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Which carpal bone directly articulates with the first metacarpal at the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb?
Trapezium
Scaphoid
Trapezoid
Capitate
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The ulna contributes a large articular surface to the radiocarpal joint.
True
False
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Which bone lies most centrally within the distal carpal row?
Hamate
Capitate
Trapezium
Trapezoid
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The triquetrum articulates with the pisiform on its palmar surface.
False
True
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Which carpal bone has a tubercle that contributes to the radial border of the carpal tunnel along with the trapezium tubercle?
Scaphoid
Capitate
Hamate
Lunate
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The distal carpal row moves as a unit with the metacarpals during wrist motion more than the proximal row does.
False
True
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Which carpal bone characteristically dislocates volarly (anteriorly) in a lunate dislocation following high-energy trauma?
Trapezoid
Lunate
Trapezium
Pisiform
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Which carpal bone has the poorest blood supply, predisposing it to avascular necrosis after fracture?
Proximal pole of the scaphoid
Pisiform
Trapezium
Hamate hook
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The lunate has a consistent single-center blood supply entering from the distal surface only.
False
True
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Which bone forms the keystone of the longitudinal arch of the hand at the level of the carpals?
Hamate
Lunate
Capitate
Scaphoid
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The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is primarily attached to the distal radius.
False
True
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Which carpal articulates with both the scaphoid and hamate within the distal row?
Lunate
Capitate
Trapezoid
Pisiform
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The pisotriquetral joint is a plane synovial joint separate from the radiocarpal joint cavity.
False
True
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0

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Carpal Bones -

    Visually pinpoint and name each of the eight carpal bones featured in the wrist bones quiz, strengthening your grasp of hand anatomy.

  2. Understand Joint Articulations -

    Explain the primary articulations and movements of the wrist joints, preparing you for the carpal bones quiz challenges.

  3. Analyze Ligament and Muscle Roles -

    Examine how ligaments and muscle attachments support wrist stability and facilitate motion.

  4. Apply Knowledge to Injury Prevention -

    Utilize your understanding of wrist anatomy to recommend strategies for avoiding common wrist injuries and enhancing performance.

  5. Evaluate Carpal Alignment -

    Assess how carpal bone alignment shifts during various hand movements, improving your interpretation skills for the wrist anatomy challenge.

  6. Recall Clinical Relevance -

    Describe the clinical importance of wrist anatomy in diagnosing and treating fractures and disorders of the carpal bones.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Carpal Bone Rows & Mnemonic -

    Memorize the proximal and distal carpal bones in order using "Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle," which stands for Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform (proximal) and Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate (distal). This classic mnemonic, endorsed by leading anatomy courses, makes recalling all eight bones in our wrist bones quiz a breeze.

  2. Scaphoid Anatomy & Clinical Significance -

    The scaphoid lies in the anatomical snuffbox and relies on a retrograde blood supply from the radial artery, making fractures prone to avascular necrosis. Recognizing its shape and location is critical in any carpal bones quiz and guides prompt diagnosis in wrist trauma.

  3. Radiocarpal & Midcarpal Joint Movements -

    The wrist comprises the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints, allowing approximately 80° of flexion, 70° of extension, and 20° of ulnar deviation. Understanding these articulations is key in our hand anatomy quiz for grasping how carpal bones coordinate during motion.

  4. Key Wrist Ligaments & Stability -

    The scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligaments maintain carpal alignment and prevent dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI). Familiarity with dorsal and palmar wrist ligaments boosts your wrist anatomy challenge performance and supports effective injury prevention.

  5. Carpal Tunnel & Flexor Retinaculum -

    The transverse carpal ligament attaches to the tubercles of the trapezium, hook of the hamate, and pisiform, forming the roof of the carpal tunnel. Knowing these attachment points and the tunnel's contents - median nerve and flexor tendons - is essential for acing our wrist bones quiz and understanding carpal tunnel syndrome.

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