Hamate bone

Hamate bone
Left hand anterior view (palmar view). Hamate bone shown in red.
The left hamate bone
Details
Articulations	Articulates with five bones: the lunate proximally the fourth and fifth metacarpals distally the triangular medially the capitate laterally
Identifiers
Latin	Os hamatum
MeSH	A02.835.232.087.319.150.400
Dorlands /Elsevier	o_07/12598356
TA	A02.4.08.012
FMA	23730
Anatomical terms of bone []

The hamate bone (/ˈheɪmət/) or unciform bone (from Latin , "hook") is a bone in the human wrist readily distinguishable by its wedge shape and a hook-like process ("hamulus") projecting from its palmar surface.

The hamate is an irregularly shaped carpal bone found within the hand. The hamate is found within the distal row of carpal bones, and abuts the metacarpals of the little finger and ring finger.

Adjacent to the hamate on the ulnar side, and slightly above it, is the pisiform bone. Adjacent on the radial side is the capitate, and proximal is the lunate.

The hamate bone has six surfaces:

The hook of hamate (Latin: hamulus) is found at the proximal, ulnar side of the hamate bone. The hook is a curved, hook-like process that projects 1–2 cm distally and radially.

The hook forms the ulnar border of the carpal tunnel, and the radial border for Guyon's canal. Numerous structures attach to it, including ligaments from the pisiform, the transverse carpal ligament, and the tendon of Flexor carpi ulnaris.

Its medial surface to the flexor digiti minimi brevis and opponens digiti minimi; its lateral side is grooved for the passage of the flexor tendons into the palm of the hand.