Which bone is labeled G on a wrist radiograph?

Which bone is labeled G on a wrist radiograph?

• A. Hamate
• B. Trapezium
• C. Trapezoid
• D. Capitate

Answer: (D)

Recognizing the arrangement of the carpal bones in the wrist is what this item is testing. The bone labeled G is the capitate. It sits at the center of the carpus and is the largest of the wrist bones, making it the easiest to spot on a standard image. On a PA wrist radiograph, you’ll notice the capitate as a rounded, prominent bone in the middle of the distal row, connecting proximally to the scaphoid and lunate and distally to the trapezoid and hamate. A key feature is that the base of the third metacarpal articulates with its head, which helps confirm its identity. The other bones have distinguishing traits that set them apart. The hamate lies more toward the ulnar side and has a hooked process (the hook of hamate). The trapezium is a larger bone at the thumb side near the base of the first metacarpal, and the trapezoid is smaller and sits adjacent to the capitate in the distal row.

Recognizing the arrangement of the carpal bones in the wrist is what this item is testing. The bone labeled G is the capitate. It sits at the center of the carpus and is the largest of the wrist bones, making it the easiest to spot on a standard image. On a PA wrist radiograph, you’ll notice the capitate as a rounded, prominent bone in the middle of the distal row, connecting proximally to the scaphoid and lunate and distally to the trapezoid and hamate. A key feature is that the base of the third metacarpal articulates with its head, which helps confirm its identity.

The other bones have distinguishing traits that set them apart. The hamate lies more toward the ulnar side and has a hooked process (the hook of hamate). The trapezium is a larger bone at the thumb side near the base of the first metacarpal, and the trapezoid is smaller and sits adjacent to the capitate in the distal row.