Function of the wrist (carpal)

[neo007]

What purpose do the carpal bones serve? Do they have any support, protection and/or force distribution?

I would have thought that it protects the nerves that run through the carpal tunnel (hence damage to the carpal bones could lead to carpal tunnel syndrom), but i'm not too sure whether it has any support roles. I skeptical whether it distibutes any force.

[xDiViNiTix]

hmm thats an interesting question...

 

maybe its because we do so many things with our hands and between each of carpal bones theres cartilage that helps cushion the bones in the hand? haha im not quite sure...

 

or maybe its cuz our ancestors had some use for it...and now its becoming a vestigial bone cuz we havent used it for millions of years...

[gcol]

Dont forget the tarsal bones, in the foot/ankle, which serve a similar purpose, whatever that is. My wife had operations on wrists and ankles for the carpal/tarsal tunnel syndrome. Loads of stitches.

[Dark Photon]

hmm, heres a simple idea what will help you figure it out.

 

 

put on some hard bandages until you cannot move your ankles or your wrists, and try to go a day