Upper limb

Articular cartilage of carpus and distal radius (All 8 carpal bones & radius)

Cartilagines articulares ossium carpi et radii distalis

Origin

Hyaline cartilage on distal radius carpal surface (scaphoid and lunate fossae) and all 8 carpal bones

Insertion

Radiocarpal, midcarpal, and intercarpal joint interfaces

Function

Ensures frictionless multi-axial gliding across the carpal vault, distributing high compressive grasp forces

Innervation

Avascular and aneural

Movement & chain

Gliding translation across proximal and distal carpal rows during grasp and dexterity tasks

Palpation

Not palpated directly

Clinical

SLAC/SNAC wrist arthritis; Kienböck's disease (avascular necrosis of the lunate with cartilage collapse); wrist arthrodesis.

Segmental innervation

C6–C8

In clinical practice

Joint protection strategies, ergonomic tool adaptations, and post-arthrodesis therapy

Region in the model

Upper limb