The scaphoid bone is the largest bone of the proximal row of wrist bones and is situated at the radial (radius bone) side of the carpus [See fig below].
It is approximately the size and shape of a medium sized cashew and its long axis is directed from above downward, lateralward, and forward.
Skaphe means “a boat,” and eidos means “form” in Greek. The name scaphoid is derived by combining two words signifying its shape.
Carpal Bones - Distal and Proximal Rows Proximal: A=Scaphoid, B=Lunate, C=Triquetral, D=Pisiform Distal: E=Trapezium, F=Trapezoid, G=Capitate, H=Hamate
Surfaces & Articulations
The superior surface is convex, smooth, of triangular shape, and articulates with the lower end of the radius.
The inferior surface, directed downward, lateralward, and backward, is also smooth, convex, and triangular, and is divided by a slight ridge into two parts, the lateral articulating with the trapezium, the medial with the trapezoid.
Left Scaphoid Bone
On the dorsal surface is a narrow, rough groove, which runs the entire length of the bone, and serves for the attachment of ligaments.
The volar surface is concave above, and has a tubercle, which is directed forward and gives attachment to the transverse carpal ligament and sometimes origin to a few fibers of the abductor pollicis brevis.
The lateral surface is rough and narrow, and gives attachment to the radial collateral ligament of the wrist.
The medial surface presents two articular facets; of these, the superior articulates with the lunate bone the inferior for the head of the capitate bone.
The distal convex surface articulates with trapezium and trapezoid.
Scaphoid receives its blood supply primarily from radial artery and is the most commonly fracture.
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[...] rounded portion or head, which is received into the concavity formed by the scaphoid and lunate [...]