Scaphoid Bone

Last updated: July 6, 2026Reviewed date: July 6, 2026Reading time: 5 min read
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Article Summary

The scaphoid bone(also known as the hand navicular) is one of the largest carpal bones of the proximal and distal row and it lies beneath the anatomical snuff box in the wrist. It is situated between the hand and forearm (also called the lateral or radial side) on the thumb side of the wrist it is surrounded on the proximal side by the radius, on the distal lateral side by...

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Definition

The scaphoid bone(also known as the hand navicular) is one of the largest carpal bones of the proximal and distal row and it lies beneath the anatomical snuff box in the wrist. It is situated between the hand and forearm (also called the lateral or radial side) on the thumb side of the wrist it is surrounded on the proximal side by the , on the distal lateral side by the trapezium bone, and on the distal medial side by the trapezoid bone. It forms the radial border of the carpal tunnel and superomedially, it articulates with the lunate bone and anteromedially with the capitate bone. The radial side of the wrist articulates with the radius, lunate, trapezoid, trapezium, and capitate bone covering 80% of the bone in articular .  In the palm of the hand, its tubercle is easily palpable as it sits subcutaneously with a long axis being from above downward, lateralward, forward and the scaphoid bone slowly heals because of the limited circulation to the bone and poor muscle attachment. The blood supply of scaphoid bone is received primarily from lateral and distal branches of the radial , which are the branches of the palmar and dorsal artery of the wrist.

Scaphoid Bone

Bone

The palmar surface of the scaphoid is concave in shape and forms a tubercle easily palpable subcutaneously, giving attachment to the transverse carpal .

The proximal surface is triangular in shape, smooth, convex area, and articulates with the radius and joining carpal bones, such as the lunate, capitate, trapezium, and trapezoid bone.

The lateral surface is a narrow bony surface and gives attachment to the radial collateral ligament.

The medial surface has two facets, one is a flattened semi-lunar facet articulating with the lunate bone, and another one is an inferior concave facet, both of two articulating with the lunate and the head of the capitate bone.

The dorsal surface of the bone is narrow in shape, with a groove running the narrow length of the bone and allowing to attach, and the surface facing the fingers.

The inferior surface is smooth and convex triangular in shape and divided into two parts by a slight ridge.

The scaphoid tubercle is a blunt, nonarticular hollowed projection for the capitate facet on the lateral edge of the bone. The tubercle is one of the attachment points for the flexor retinaculum, a fibrous band across the wrist joints for stabilization. The facet for the head of the capitate is the large concave shape facet on the proximal side of the scaphoid bone. The crescent-shaped facet for the lunate bone is also on the proximal side of the scaphoid but forms the medial edge of the bone. The radial facet is the single, convex shape facet on the distal end of the scaphoid. The facet for the trapezoid bone runs along the dorsolateral edge of the bone towards the tubercle of the scaphoid. The facet for the trapezium is at the lateral end of the dorsal side of the scaphoid bone.

Scaphoid Bone

References

 

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Doctor visit helper

Prepare before seeing a doctor

A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
  • Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
  • Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
  • Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
  • Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Scaphoid Bone

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.