Arizona State University (ASU) Tempe Practical 1 Practice Test

The wrist is formed by the radiocarpal joint, where the distal end of the radius meets the proximal row of carpal bones (primarily the scaphoid and lunate). This articulation creates the wrist proper and allows its characteristic movements (flexion, extension, and side-to-side deviation). The ulna does not directly form this joint due to the intervening articular disc, so the distal radioulnar and proximal radioulnar joints are forearm joints involved in rotation, not the wrist itself. Intercarpal joints connect carpal bones to each other, not the radius, hence they do not form the wrist with the radius and proximal carpal row.