Anatomy of the Scaphoid Bone and Ligaments

The scaphoid has characteristic anatomic features: it articulates with five adjacent bones through a largely cartilaginous surface and features a complex network of ligamentous attachments. A substantial variety in both osseous and ligamentous scaphoid anatomy has been described in literature. Variations in scaphoid anatomy are known to result in distinct kinematic patterns, thus playing a pivotal role in carpal (in)stability. A thorough understanding and clear description of scaphoid anatomy is therefore of crucial importance.Classifying morphological scaphoid subtypes and their correlated kinematic patterns will allow these anatomic variations to be employed as a basis for the role of the scaphoid in carpal kinematics.