Any bone of the wrist (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: CARPAL (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Any bone of the wrist" with 6 letters is "CARPAL".Carpal refers to any of the bones in the wrist, which are part of the eight small bones that connect the hand to the forearm, allowing for the wrist's range of motion. These bones form the carpus, an essential part of the skeletal structure that enables wrist flexibility and strength.
Why “Carpal” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning “any bone of the wrist.” The answer, CARPAL, fits perfectly:
- Any bone of the wrist: Carpal refers to the bones that make up the human wrist, directly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With six letters, carpal fits the enumeration exactly.
- Precise meaning: The term denotes both the anatomical classification (as in “carpal bone”) and its adjectival use relating to the wrist.
In anatomy, carpal is a key term describing the bones that form the structure of the wrist joint:
- Origin and usage: From Late Latin carpus (“wrist”), derived from Greek karpós, meaning “fruit” or “wrist.” It entered English via Medieval Latin in the early 18th century.
Anatomical detail:
- The human wrist (or carpus) consists of eight small carpal bones arranged in two rows:
- The proximal row: scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform.
- The distal row: trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate.
- These bones articulate with the radius and ulna of the forearm and the metacarpals of the hand, allowing wrist flexibility and rotation.
- Adjective use: Carpal commonly modifies related anatomical terms (e.g., carpal tunnel, carpal ligament).
Examples:
- “The doctor suspected a fracture in one of the carpal bones.”
- “Repetitive motion can inflame the carpal tunnel area.”
- “Carpal injuries are common in athletes who use their hands extensively.”
In quick crosswords like “Any bone of the wrist (6),” anatomical terminology often appears as direct definitions:
- Definition: The clue gives a straightforward description — “any bone of the wrist,” which points directly to carpal.
- Word structure: Since “carpal bones” are a well-known collective term in anatomy, the singular carpal is the precise general descriptor for any one of them.
- Clue type: This is a factual or general-knowledge clue rather than a wordplay clue. Recognizing anatomy-related keywords such as bone, joint, or wrist helps solvers draw on biology-based vocabulary.
