[Anatomic study on hook of hamate bone].

OBJECTIVE:To study the hook of hamate bone by anatomy and iconography methods in order to provide information for the clinical treatment of injuries to the hook of hamate bone and the deep branch of ulnar nerve. METHODS:Fifty-two upper limb specimens of adult corpses contributed voluntarily were collected, including 40 antisepticized old specimens and 12 fresh ones. The hook of hamate bone and its adjacent structure were observed. Twenty-four upper limbs selected randomly from specimens of corpses and 24 upper limbs from 12 healthy adults were investigated by computed tomography (CT) three-dimensional reconstruction, and then related data were measured. The measurement results of 24 specimens were analyzed statistically. RESULTS:The hook of hamate bone is an important component of ulnar carpal canal and carpal canal, and the deep branch of ulnar nerve is located closely in the inner front of the hook of hamate bone. The flexor tendons of the forth and the little fingers are in the innermost side, closely lie next to the outside of the hook of hamate bone. The hamate bone located between the capitate bone and the three-cornered bone with wedge-shaped. The medial-, lateral-, and front-sides are all facies articularis. The hook of hamate bone has an approximate shape of a flat plate. The position migrated from the body of the hamate bone, the middle of the hook and the enlargement of the top of the hook were given the names of "the basis of the hook", "the waist of the hook", and "the coronal of the hook", respectively. The short path of the basement are all longer than the short path of the waist. The long path of the top of the hook is the maximum length diameter of the hook of hamate bone, and is longer than the long path of the basement and the long path of the waist. The iconography shape and trait of the hook of hamate bone is similar to the anatomy result. There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between two methods in the seven parameters as follows: the long path of the basement of the hook, the short path of the basement of the hook, the long path of the waist of the hook, the short path of the waist of the hook, the long path of the top of the hook, the height of the hook, of hamate bone, and the distance between the top and the waist of the hook. CONCLUSION:The hook of hamate bone can be divided into three parts: the coronal part, the waist part, and the basal part; fracture of the hamate bone can be divided into fracture of the body, fracture of the hook, and fracture of the body and the hook. Fracture of the hook of hamate bone or fracture union can easily result in injure of the deep branch of ulnar nerve and the flexor tendons of the forth and the little fingers. The measurement results of CT three-dimensional reconstruction can be used as reference value directly in clinical treatments.