CARPAL ARCHES Meaning and
Definition
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Carpal arches refer to the structural arrangement of bones and connective tissues within the wrist joint, known as the carpus. The carpus, also called the wrist, is a complex joint consisting of eight small bones called carpal bones, located between the forearm and the hand.
The carpal arches represent the natural curvatures and shapes formed by these carpal bones. There are two main carpal arches in the wrist: the proximal carpal arch and the distal carpal arch. The proximal carpal arch is positioned closer to the forearm, while the distal carpal arch is closer to the hand.
These arches serve important purposes in maintaining the stability and flexibility of the wrist joint. They help distribute the forces and pressures exerted on the wrist during various movements, such as bending, twisting, and rotating the hand. The carpal arches also facilitate smooth gliding of tendons and assist in preventing compression or impingement of the median nerve, which is responsible for sensory and motor functions in the hand.
Abnormalities or injuries to the carpal arches can result in wrist pain, limited mobility, and dysfunction. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and carpal instability can significantly affect the proper functioning of the carpal arches. Treatment for such conditions may include physical therapy, medications, splints, or in severe cases, surgery, to restore the integrity and functionality of the carpal arches.
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Two anastomotic arterial twigs running transversely across the wrist: the anterior lies in front of the carpus, being formed by anterior carpal branches of the radialis and ulnaris; it is distributed to the structures of the wrist and carpal joints; the posterior or dorsal lies on the posterior surface of the carpus, being formed by the dorsal carpal branches of the radialis and ulnaris; it is distributed to the structures of the carpal and wrist-joints and gives out two dorsal interosseous branches.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CARPAL ARCHES
- xarpal arches
- varpal arches
- farpal arches
- darpal arches
- czrpal arches
- csrpal arches
- cwrpal arches
- cqrpal arches
- caepal arches
- cadpal arches
- cafpal arches
- catpal arches
- ca5pal arches
- ca4pal arches
- caroal arches
- carlal arches
- car-al arches
- car0al arches
- carpzl arches
- carpsl arches
Etymology of CARPAL ARCHES
The word "carpal" comes from the Latin word "carpus", which means "wrist". The term "arches" comes from the Old French word "arche", which ultimately traces back to the Latin word "arcus", meaning "bow" or "arch". Therefore, the etymology of "carpal arches" refers to the curved structure formed by the arrangement of carpal bones in the human wrist.
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