Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

04:08
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
The carpal bones in Poland syndrome
Talia Friedman1, Martin Reed, Alison M Elliott
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Skeletal Radiology
|February 3, 2009
Summary
Carpal bone anomalies, including fusions and delayed ossification, are common in Poland syndrome patients. Imaging the unaffected hand can reveal the full extent of these carpal bone findings.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Poland syndrome is a congenital condition characterized by pectoral muscle defects and limb abnormalities.
- Previous research has focused on various Poland syndrome manifestations, but carpal bone involvement remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of carpal bone anomalies in patients with Poland syndrome.
- To evaluate carpal bone involvement in both a local cohort and cases from existing literature.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hand radiographs from 7 local patients and 23 literature cases of Poland syndrome.
- Assessment for carpal fusions, disharmonious ossification, and delayed ossification.
- Correlation of radiographic findings with clinical information, including age and gender.
Main Results:
- 52% of literature cases and 50% of local patients (with adequate imaging) exhibited carpal bone abnormalities.
- Common findings included carpal fusions (especially scaphoid-trapezium), disharmonious ossification, and delayed ossification.
- Carpal anomalies were observed in patients with both mild and severe hand involvement.
Conclusions:
- Carpal bone anomalies are a frequent, yet often overlooked, feature of Poland syndrome.
- These anomalies, including delay, disharmony, and fusions, occur across the spectrum of hand involvement severity.
- Radiographic evaluation of the contralateral, unaffected hand is recommended to fully assess carpal findings.
Related Concept Videos
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius is longer of the two bones that make up the human antebrachium or forearm. At the proximal end, the radius articulates with the capitulum of the humerus and the radial notch of the ulna to form the elbow joint. At the distal end, the radius articulates with the ulna via the ulnar notch, forming the distal radioulnar joint. Distally, the radius also attaches to the carpal wrist bones (scaphoid and lunate) to form the radiocarpal joint.
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a short...
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a short...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
The ulna and radius are parallel bones of the antebrachium or the forearm. The ulna lies medially and consists of a bony tip called the olecranon process at its proximal end. This hook-like projection articulates with the olecranon fossa of the humerus and forms the "hinged" ulnohumeral part of the elbow joint. This joint facilitates forearm extension and flexion while preventing its hyperextension. Similarly, the coronoid process, another bony projection on the proximal/anterior side of the...
Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers
The muscles of the forearm that move the wrist, hand, and digits are numerous and diverse. They can be classified into two groups based on their location and function — the anterior and posterior compartment muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi radialis,...
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi radialis,...
Classification of Bones
The bones of the human skeletal system are of varied shapes, sizes, and functions. They can be classified based on their shape and function into four major classes: long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones. Some classifications include a fifth type, the sesamoid bones, as a separate class, whereas others categorize them under short bones.
Long and Short Bones
The appendicular skeleton, particularly the upper and lower limbs, is primarily made of long and short bones. The long...
Long and Short Bones
The appendicular skeleton, particularly the upper and lower limbs, is primarily made of long and short bones. The long...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
The upper limb consists of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm region. Proximally, it has a large, spherical, smooth head that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula to form the glenohumeral or shoulder joint. The margin of the head is the anatomical neck, a residual epiphyseal plate. Laterally it extends to form bony projections called the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. Next to the tubercles is the surgical neck, a...
