The radial styloid process is a projection of

bone A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. Bones protect the various other organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, provide structure and support for the body, an ...

on the lateral surface of the distal radius bone.

Structure

The radial styloid process is found on the lateral surface of the distal radius bone. It extends obliquely downward into a strong, conical projection. The tendon of the

brachioradialis The brachioradialis is a muscle of the forearm that flexes the forearm at the elbow. It is also capable of both pronation and supination, depending on the position of the forearm. It is attached to the distal styloid process of the radius by way o ...

attaches at its base. The radial collateral ligament of the

wrist In human anatomy, the wrist is variously defined as (1) the carpus or carpal bones, the complex of eight bones forming the proximal skeletal segment of the hand; "The wrist contains eight bones, roughly aligned in two rows, known as the carpal ...

attaches at its apex. The lateral surface is marked by a flat groove for the tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis.

Clinical significance

Breakage of the radius at the radial styloid is known as a

Chauffeur's fracture Chauffeur's fracture, also known as Hutchinson fracture, is a type of oblique fracture of the radial styloid process in the forearm. The injury is typically caused by compression of the scaphoid bone of the hand against the styloid process of th ...

; it is typically caused by compression of the scaphoid bone of the hand against the styloid. De Quervain syndrome causes pain over the styloid process of the radius. This is due to the passage of the inflamed extensor pollicis brevis

tendon A tendon or sinew is a tough, high-tensile-strength band of dense fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is able to transmit the mechanical forces of muscle contraction to the skeletal system without sacrificing its ability ...

and abductor pollicis longus tendon around it. The styloid process of the radius is a useful landmark during arthroscopic resection of the scaphoid bone. A prominent styloid process of the radius makes applying a wrist splint more difficult.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Upper limb anatomy Radius (bone)