Hand & wrist · Interactive 3D

Scaphoid blood supply

The scaphoid with its dominant blood supply: dorsal branches of the radial artery entering the dorsal ridge towards the distal end and running backwards through the bone to the proximal pole.

Interactive — drag to rotate

AI-assisted model. Labels checked against standard anatomy references; specialist review pending.

What to look at

1About 70–80% of the scaphoid, including the whole proximal pole, is supplied by dorsal branches of the radial artery that enter through the dorsal ridge near the waist and distal pole.
2The supply is retrograde: blood reaches the proximal pole last, through the bone itself.
3A fracture across the waist or proximal pole can cut this supply, so the more proximal the fracture, the higher the risk of non-union and avascular necrosis of the proximal fragment.
4The distal pole and tubercle have a separate palmar supply and rarely lose their blood supply.

Hotspots

1Branch of the radial artery entering the distal dorsal ridge — Dorsal branches of the radial artery enter through foramina on the dorsal ridge, towards the distal end.
2Retrograde intraosseous supply — Intraosseous vessels run from distal to proximal — the proximal pole is supplied last.
3Proximal pole — Has no independent supply: at greatest risk of avascular necrosis after a fracture.
4Waist — The commonest site of scaphoid fracture.
5Distal pole — Also supplied by palmar branches; heals reliably.

More models

Brachial plexus

The brachial plexus from roots to terminal branches: C5–T1 roots, the upper, middle and lower trunks, anterior and posterior divisions, the lateral, posterior and medial cords, and the nerves each gives off.

Open model

Wrist cross-section

A transverse section through the distal forearm just above the wrist: radius and ulna, pronator quadratus, the flexor tendons and median nerve on the palmar side and the extensor compartments dorsally.

Open model

Knee ligaments

The knee in flexion from the front with the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, the medial and lateral collateral ligaments and the menisci.

Open model

Start with 20 free questions

Create a free account with Google and go straight into the sample bank, today's Daily Five and your readiness dashboard. No card required.

Start free See pricing