Advanced Bones of the Hand Quiz

Q1. Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured after a fall on an outstretched hand?

• Scaphoid
• Trapezoid
• Pisiform
• Lunate

Q2. Why is the proximal pole of the scaphoid particularly vulnerable to avascular necrosis after some scaphoid fractures?

• Much of its arterial supply enters distally and travels proximally
• Its blood supply comes exclusively through the first metacarpal
• The proximal pole normally lacks any blood vessels
• The proximal pole lies entirely outside the wrist capsule

Q3. A fracture through the neck of the fifth metacarpal is commonly called what?

• Monteggia fracture
• Boxer's fracture
• Colles fracture
• Smith fracture

Q4. Which injury is characterized by an intra-articular fracture at the base of the first metacarpal with involvement of the first carpometacarpal joint?

• Boxer's fracture
• Bennett fracture
• Colles fracture
• Nightstick fracture

Q5. Which four carpal landmarks provide the principal bony attachment points for the flexor retinaculum?

• Scaphoid, lunate, capitate, and hamate heads
• Lunate, triquetrum, capitate, and trapezoid
• Trapezium, lunate, third metacarpal, and pisiform
• Scaphoid tubercle, trapezium tubercle, pisiform, and hook of hamate

Q6. A fracture of the hook of hamate may threaten which nerve because of the close anatomical relationship?

• Ulnar nerve
• Median nerve
• Radial nerve
• Musculocutaneous nerve

Q7. Which carpal bone is a sesamoid bone within the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris?

• Scaphoid
• Capitate
• Pisiform
• Hamate

Q8. Which metacarpals form the relatively rigid central portion of the metacarpus that supports precision hand function?

• Fourth and fifth metacarpals
• Second and third metacarpals
• First and fifth metacarpals
• First and second metacarpals

Q9. Which structural feature allows the ulnar side of the palm to cup around an object during gripping?

• Greater mobility of the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal joints
• Absence of phalanges in the little finger
• Direct articulation of the fifth metacarpal with the radius
• Fusion of the fourth and fifth metacarpals to the hamate

Q10. Which description best summarizes the functional organization of the bones of the hand?

• All hand bones are fused into a rigid unit in normal anatomy
• Metacarpals form the entire wrist while carpals are confined to the thumb
• Carpals form the digits, metacarpals form the wrist, and phalanges form the forearm
• Carpals form the wrist, metacarpals support the palm, and phalanges form the mobile digits