What is the Hooked Bone
The hooked or bent bone is one of the eight carpal or wrist bones and an essential part of the distal carpal row (a crucial bone arrangement in the human wrist) [1, 2]. It is categorized as a short bone [13].
Where is it Placed
The hooked bone is situated just above the wrist, on the side of the little finger [3], resting on two of the metacarpal bones (4th and 5th) [4].
Hooked Bone
Growth and Ossification
The hooked bone is the second of the wrist bones to ossify, becoming visible on an x-ray when a baby is about 3-4 months old [5, 6]
Framework and Anatomy
Being a triangular or wedge-shaped bone, the hooked bone has six surfaces [7], articulating with five different bones [8].
Hooked Bone X-Ray
Articulations
On its lower and outer side, the hooked bone is bordered by the proximal carpal bones pisiform and lunate, while the capitate bone is located radially [9]. The broad medial surface forms an articulation with the triquetral bone [8]. The hooked bone also articulates distally with the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones [10].
Hooked Bone Articular Surfaces and Hook of Hooked
The Hook of Hooked
The characteristic hook-shaped process on the hooked bone’s palmar (volar) surface is known as the hook (hamulus) of the hooked [11]. It projects outwards from the lower part of the palm, on the side of the little finger [3], and has no bony articulations [10].
Blood Supply
The hooked hook is supplied by two blood vessels, one entering from the ulnar tip, while the other enters through the radial base [12].
What Does the Bone Do
Hooked, along with the other carpal bones, forms the human wrist that acts as a bridge between the lower arm and hand.
The hook of the hooked forms some crucial structures in the wrist. It is the last of the four points of attachment for the flexor retinaculum [10], while it also works as a pulley for the 4th and 5th flexor tendons responsible for smooth movement and flexion of the ring finger and little finger [7].
The hook is involved in the formation of the Guyon’s or ulnar canal as well, along with the pisiform bone and a few other muscles and ligaments [10]. The ulnar nerve, artery, and vein all pass through this canal to enter the hand [3].
Common Injuries Associated with the Hooked Bone
Due to the outward-projecting hook, the hooked bone is often the bone to get fractured during sports like golf, and tennis if the player strikes with the cue or racket with excessive force.
References
- https://www.getbodysmart.com/upper-limb-bones/hand-wrist-bones-anterior-palmar-view
- http://aclandanatomy.com/multimediaplayer.aspx?multimediaid=10528069
- https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/hamate-bone
- https://www.orthopaedicsone.com/display/Main/Hamate
- http://sketchymedicine.com/2016/01/carpal-bone-ossification/
- https://www.earthslab.com/anatomy/hamate-bone/
- https://clinanat.com/100-mtd/319-hamate
- https://radiopaedia.org/articles/hamate
- https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/97813-overview
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/hamate-bone
- http://portalbiocursos.com.br/ohs/data/docs/56/62-_Examination_of_the_wristYsurface_anatomy_of__the_carpal_bones.pdf
- http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/hamate
- https://www.visiblebody.com/learn/skeleton/types-of-bones
