The lunate (wrist bone)
Lunate bone · os lunatum
A crescent-shaped bone in the centre of the wrist.
What it does
The lunate sits in the middle of the first row of wrist bones, directly in line with the radius. It forms part of the main wrist joint and moves with every bend of the hand.
Surprising fact
The lunate is the wrist bone that most often dislocates, and its name comes from the Latin luna, moon, because of its crescent shape.
Why it matters
Heavy falls on the hand can knock the lunate out of place, which can press on the nerve that runs through the wrist. It needs prompt treatment to protect hand feeling and function.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.