The wrist joint is spelled as /rɪst dʒɔɪnt/ in phonetic transcription. The initial sound /r/ is pronounced with the tip of the tongue curled back, while the short vowel /ɪ/ is produced with a relaxed tongue. The next part of the word, "st", is formed by stopping and releasing the airflow at the alveolar ridge. The sound /dʒ/ is made by pushing the tongue forward and up, and the final sound /ɔɪnt/ is a diphthong, consisting of two vowels pronounced together: /ɔ/ and /ɪ/.
The wrist joint is a synovial joint that connects the forearm to the hand. It is located between the distal ends of the radius and ulna bones of the forearm, and the proximal row of carpal bones in the hand. It is responsible for providing stability and allowing a wide range of movements in the hand and wrist.
The wrist joint allows flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and circumduction movements, enabling us to perform various activities such as writing, typing, grasping objects, and performing intricate hand movements. Flexion refers to bending the wrist forward, while extension is the backward movement. Adduction involves moving the wrist toward the midline of the body, whereas abduction is the movement away from the midline. Circumduction is a combination of all these movements in which the hand describes a circular motion.
The wrist joint is supported by ligaments that help hold the bones together, providing stability during movement. These ligaments include the radial collateral ligament, ulnar collateral ligament, and various intercarpal ligaments. The joint is also surrounded by a synovial membrane that produces synovial fluid, lubricating the joint and minimizing friction between the bones.
Injury or inflammation of the wrist joint can result in pain, stiffness, and limited movement. Common conditions associated with the wrist joint include sprains, fractures, dislocations, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis. Proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial to ensure optimal functioning and alleviate discomfort in the wrist joint.
• Articulatio radiocarpea.
• Radiocarpal articulation, between the radius and the scaphoid, semilunar, and cuneiform bones.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "wrist" is derived from the Old English word "wrist" or "wrȳst", which meant "the joint between the hand and forearm". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "wristiz". The origin of "wristiz" is uncertain, but it is believed to have a connection to the Indo-European root "wreik-" or "wreikǝ-", meaning "to fold" or "to twist". This root is also associated with words like "wring" and "wrench". The addition of the word "joint" in "wrist joint" simply refers to the point of connection or articulation between two or more bones.