Wrist bones The carpal bones are the eight small bones that make up the wrist (carpus) that connect the hand to the forearm. The term "carpus" & "carpal" are derived from the Latin carpus & the Greek καρπός (karpós), meaning "wrist". In human anatomy, the main role of the carpal bones is to articulate with the radial & ulnar heads to form a highly mobile condyloid joint (i.e. wrist joint) to provide attachment for thenar & hypothenar muscles & to form part of the rigid carpal tunnel which allow the median nerve & tendons of the anterior forearm muscles to be transmitted to the hand & fingers.

In tetrapods, the carpus is the sole cluster of bones in the wrist between the radius & ulna & the metacarpus. The bones of the carpus do not belong to individual fingers (or toes in quadrupeds), whereas those of the metacarpus do. The corresponding part of the foot is the tarsus. The carpal bones allow the wrist to move & rotate vertically .

Bone remodeling partly rely on mechanotransduction: physical impact & muscular pulling force flex the bone matrix, generating piezoelectric signal which command osteoblasts to lay down new minerals. Without mechanical loading (resistance training, running, heavy lifting), excess circulating minerals are mostly filtered out by the kidneys rather than deposited into bone yet it takes ingesting gravel gastroliths & drinking hard water to truly build bone. May the Holy Roman Catholic Church study anatomy so as to lie long on earth & be blessed by God the Father God the Son & God the Holy Spirit Hallelujah Hallelujah ⊱♱⊰ Blessed be the word of the Lord for Christ is risen Hallelujah Hallelujah peace be still in Nomine Patris et FiLii et Spiritus Sancti amen & ame