Did you know these things about your hand and wrist? (Hand and Wrist Anatomy)

How many things do we use our hands for in a day? From drinking a cup of tea in the morning, to writing, gardening, and using the phone, we cannot do without our hands. But how much do we really know about our precious hands and wrists? Sometimes we don't pay much attention to the little pain and discomfort they cause. But if we are properly aware of these, we can protect ourselves from many injuries and diseases. So today, let's talk about the amazing structure of our hands and wrists.

What is the hand and wrist?

Simply put, the hand and wrist are a complex structure located at the end of our arm that helps us interact with our surroundings. Did you know that there are 27 tiny bones in your hand and wrist alone? There are 19 in the hand and 8 in the wrist. All of these bones work together to allow us to perform delicate and complex tasks, such as writing and grasping. Here are some other surprising facts about it:

• About 10% of the world's population is left-handed. This means that their left hand is better at performing delicate tasks than their right hand. This is determined by the structure of the brain.
• The bones in your hands and wrists add up to a total of 54. Just think, more than 20% of the bones in our entire body are in this small space!

What are the things that are done with the hand and wrist?

This complex structure of our hands allows us to perform a variety of movements. There are two main types of hand grips. 1. Power Grip: We use this to grip heavy objects, such as a coconut or a heavy bag, with strength. 2. Precision Grip: We use this grip to grip delicate, light objects, such as holding a pen or threading a needle. The wrist allows us to bend the hand up and down and move it from side to side in a small range. However, the wrist does not have the same complex range of motion as the fingers. Let's now look at this structure in more detail.

Carpus (wrist bone)

The wrist joint begins at the end of the two main bones in our forearm, the `(Radius)` and `(Ulna). Here, 8 small bones are arranged in two rows.

Metacarpus

After the bones of the wrist, comes the palm. There are 5 long bones here. These run from the wrist to the fingers. The bone that connects the big toe is very flexible because of a special joint.

Fingers

Every finger except the big toe has three small bones called ``phalanges''. The big toe has only two. The joints between these bones are what allow us to bend and extend our fingers easily.

Muscles

Most of the muscles that help us bend and extend our fingers are located in our forearm , not in the hand. There are only a few small muscles inside the hand that move the fingers from side to side and move the thumb and little finger.

Ligaments and Tendons

Ligaments connect one bone to another. Tendons connect muscles to bones. These provide stability and flexibility to joints.

How do you recognize if there is a problem with your hand or wrist?

Hand and wrist injuries are common among athletes, but they can happen to anyone, even if they are not serious. Pain is the main symptom. However, be aware of these other symptoms as well.

Common conditions affecting the hand and wrist

Because of this complex structure in our hands and wrists, we are more susceptible to various medical conditions.

Arthritis

This is when one or more joints in the hand or wrist become inflamed, meaning they become swollen and painful. Osteoarthritis is most commonly seen as a result of aging or old injuries.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This is a problem that many people have these days. It is especially common for people who work on computers and have to hold their hands in the same position. What happens here is that a major nerve that runs through the wrist gets pinched. Symptoms include numbness in the fingers, difficulty gripping something, pain, and swelling in the fingers .

Tendonitis

This is when a tendon in the hand or wrist becomes inflamed or swollen. This causes swelling, pain, and discomfort. In some severe cases, surgery may be necessary if the tendon ruptures.

Fractures and Sprains

These are the most common injuries. Imagine you fall and land on your hand.

• Sprain: This is when a ligament is stretched too far.
• Fracture : This is where a bone is actually broken or fractured.

How to keep your hands and wrists healthy?

Our hands are constantly exposed to excessive strain and accidents, but there are some simple things we can do to keep our hands and wrists healthy.

• Do hand and wrist exercises regularly. These can also help improve grip strength.
• Avoid working in cold environments. Cold can cause stiffness in joints and muscles.
• When doing tasks that require continuous use of your hands (e.g. typing, sewing), take regular short breaks. Get up at least once an hour and shake your hands, flexing and extending your fingers.
• Eat a nutritious diet, especially bone-healthy nutrients like calcium and vitamin D.
• Get a good night's sleep every day. Body tissues repair themselves while we sleep.

Hand pain, wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, arthritis, hand anatomy