Lunate bone

The lunate bone (semilunar bone) is a bone in the human hand that may be distinguished by its deep concavity and crescentic outline. It is situated in the center of the proximal row of the carpus, or wrist, between the scaphoid and triangular bone.

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The etymology derives from the Latin luna which means "moon."

Surfaces

The superior surface, convex and smooth, articulates with the radius.

The inferior surface is deeply concave, and of greater extent from before backward than transversely: it articulates with the head of the capitate, and, by a long, narrow facet (separated by a ridge from the general surface), with the hamate.

The dorsal and palmar surfaces are rough, for the attachment of ligaments, the former being the broader, and of a somewhat rounded form.

The lateral surface presents a narrow, flattened, semilunar facet for articulation with the scaphoid.

The medial surface is marked by a smooth, quadrilateral facet, for articulation with the triangular bone.

See also

• Bone terminology
• Terms for anatomical location

Additional images

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.