carpal

Pertaining to wrist

Carpal refers to the bones of the wrist—the eight small bones connecting the hand to the forearm.

The word appears most often in carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition causing pain and numbness when the nerve passing through the wrist's narrow channel becomes compressed, typically from repetitive motions like typing.

anatomy

wrist

Hand-forearm connection

phalangesBones of fingers, toes
scaphoidCarpal bone, thumb-side
lunateCurved like a crescent

trapezium · trapezoid · capitate · flexor · extensor · tendons · ligaments · palm · digits · thumb

arm

radius

Center-to-perimeter distance

ulnaInner forearm bone
forearmArm's lower half
humerusUpper arm's long bone

elbow · skeleton · brachium · distal · proximal · joint · skeletal · bone · fracture · wrist joint

injury

repetitive strain

Damage from repeated movement

compressionForcing into smaller space
numbnessLoss of sensation
tinglingSlight stinging sensation

splint · brace · ergonomic · typing · keyboard · inflammation · surgery · occupational · RSI

Categories

body partsarm, leg, hand, back, chest
bonesskull, femur, tibia, skulls, humerus
upper bodyarm, forearm, upper arm, elbow, wrist
bone termsskeletal, osseous, bony, fractured, spinal
jointsbutt joint, corner joint, knee, elbow, ankle
bone featurescondyle, process, tubercle, tuberosity, eminence

Opposites

anatomical location

carpaltarsal

Of the ankle

pedal · metatarsal · ankle · metacarpal · foot

Phrases

carpal tunnelWrist's nerve passageway
carpal tunnel syndromeCompressed nerve at wrist
carpal bonesSkeletal wrist components
carpal tunnel surgeryProcedure relieving wrist nerve compression

Family

carpal tunnel, carpus, metacarpal, carpals, metacarpals, carpal bones

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G