American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) Practice Exam

In wrist imaging, what bone is the red arrow pointing to if it indicates the scaphoid?

1. Capitate

2. Lunate

3. Scaphoid

4. Triquetrum

The correct answer is: Scaphoid

The correct answer indicates the scaphoid bone, which is one of the carpal bones located in the wrist. The scaphoid is positioned on the thumb side of the wrist and plays an essential role in wrist motion and stability. It is also recognizable by its unique boat-like shape and is one of the larger carpal bones that commonly participates in the formation of the wrist joint. Understanding the anatomy of the wrist is important for radiologic technologists, as it helps in identifying bone structures in imaging. The scaphoid is particularly significant because it is often involved in wrist injuries, especially fractures resulting from falls. Recognizing the scaphoid in images is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. The other bones mentioned, such as the capitate, lunate, and triquetrum, serve different functions and are located in different positions within the wrist, which helps to differentiate them from the scaphoid. The capitate is the largest carpal bone, the lunate is centrally located and articulates with the radius, and the triquetrum is situated on the ulnar side of the wrist.