carpus car·pus (kär'pəs)
n. pl. car·pi (-pī')
The group of eight carpal bones and associated soft parts forming the joint between the forearm and the hand, articulating with the radius and indirectly with the ulna, and with the five metacarpal bones. Also called wrist.
The carpal bones considered as a group.
| carpus (kär'pəs) Pronunciation Key
Plural carpi (kär'pī')
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carpus
complex joint between the five metacarpal bones of the hand and the radius and ulna bones of the forearm. The wrist is composed of eight or nine small, short bones (carpal bones) roughly arranged in two rows. The wrist is also made up of several component joints: the distal radioulnar joint, which acts as a pivot for the forearm bones; the radiocarpal joint, between the radius and the first row of carpal bones, involved in wrist flexion and extension; the midcarpal joint, between two of the rows of carpal bones; and various intercarpal joints, between adjacent carpal bones within the rows. The numerous bones and their complex articulations give the wrist its flexibility and wide range of motion
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