Trapezium Bone

Key Features & Anatomical Relations

The trapezium bone (greater multangular bone) is one of the eight carpal bones of the hand. It’s quadrilateral-shaped and is found in the distal row of carpal bones. It's classified as a short bone and includes the following bony features:

- part: tubercle;

- surfaces: palmar and dorsal surfaces;

- landmarks: scaphoid and trapezoid articular facets, and the first and second metacarpal articular facets.

More information regarding these bony features can be found in the Parts, Surfaces and Landmarks tabs for this bone.

The trapezium bone is located:

- proximal to the first and second metacarpal bones;

- distal to the scaphoid bone;

- lateral to the trapezoid bone.

It articulates with the:

- scaphoid bone at the scaphotrapezium joint;

- trapezoid bone at the trapeziotrapezoidal joint;

- first and second metacarpal bones, contributing to the formation of the carpometacarpal joints.

Ossification

Ossification of the trapezium bone occurs at one ossification center, which appears within the fourth to fifth years (Standring, 2016). Complete ossification occurs during early to middle adolescence.

Variations

In some individuals, the trapezium bone may be present in a bipartite condition (i.e., divided into two parts) (Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).

Surface Anatomy

With regard to surface anatomy, the trapezium bone can be palpated proximal to the base of first metacarpal bone during opposition of the thumb.

List of Clinical Correlates

- Fracture of trapezium bone

References

Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.

Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M. and Loukas, M. (2016) Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation. Wiley.