Which carpal bone is NOT in the bottom row of the carpal bones from the thumb to the pinky?

Which carpal bone is NOT in the bottom row of the carpal bones from the thumb to the pinky?

• A. Scaphoid
• B. Lunate
• C. Capitate
• D. Pisiform

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the carpal bones are arranged in two rows. The proximal row (nearest the forearm) includes the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and Pisiform, while the distal row (near the metacarpals) includes the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate. From the thumb to the pinky along the distal row, the order is trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate, so capitate sits in the bottom/distal row. If a question asks which bone is NOT in the bottom row, any of the proximal-row bones—scaphoid, lunate, or pisiform—would be correct. So capitate being in the bottom row means it would not be the correct choice for “not in the bottom row.”

The key idea is that the carpal bones are arranged in two rows. The proximal row (nearest the forearm) includes the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and Pisiform, while the distal row (near the metacarpals) includes the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate. From the thumb to the pinky along the distal row, the order is trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate, so capitate sits in the bottom/distal row. If a question asks which bone is NOT in the bottom row, any of the proximal-row bones—scaphoid, lunate, or pisiform—would be correct. So capitate being in the bottom row means it would not be the correct choice for “not in the bottom row.”