• 2^nd – 5^th finger- with three phalanges (proximal, middle and distal)
• Thumb- with two phalanges (proximal and distal)

B. Hand

• Five metacarpal bones (base and head)

C. Wrist (Carpals)

Carpal bones (8)

Proximal Row (Lateral to Medial)

• Navicular/ Scaphoid
• Lunate/ Semilunar
• Triangular/ triquetrium/ triquetral
• Pisiform

Distal Row (Lateral to Medial)

• Greater Multangular/ trapezium
• Lesser Multangular/ trapezeus
• Capitate/ Os magnum/ Capitatum
• Hamate/ Unciform

Other Terms

Pollex- another term for thumb

Ungulate Process of tuft- supports fingernails

Description of each carpal bone

Pisiform- smallest carpal bone, pear- shaped

Capitate- the largest carpal bone, shaped like a head

Scaphoid- most commonly fractured carpal bone, boat- shaped

Lunate- crescent- shaped (half- moon)

Triquetrium- triangular- shaped

Trapezoid- similar to trapezium but smaller

Trapezium- four- sided bone

Hamate- hook- shaped

 For lateral projections of the forearm and elbow, the patient’s shoulder and elbow must be on the same horizontal plane
 In all radiographic examinations of the upper limb, at least 2
projections must be taken, 900 apart from each other
 Radiographic examinations of the joints generally require a minimum of 3 projections: AP/PA, Lateral and at least 1 oblique
 Kilovoltages for imaging of the upper limb range from 40 – 70 kVp
 Detail or slow-speed film-screen combination are preferred for small bony fractures
 To prevent foreshortening or elongation, the CR should be directed perpendicular to long bones
 Anatomic structures should be aligned parallel to the long axis of the cassette
 When radiographing long bones, both joints should be included in the collimation field
 Rotation of the arm is contraindicated when a humeral fracture or shoulder dislocation is suspected
 The use of a breathing technique when obtaining a transthoracic lateral projection blurs the lung detail, allowing for better visualization of the cortex of the humerus