Posterior region of wrist

The posterior region of wrist (a.k.a. dorsal wrist region) refers to the back of the wrist, encompassing the skin, subcutaneous tissue, extensor retinaculum, dorsal ligaments, extensor tendons, and associated neurovascular structures.

Skin and Superficial Structures

The thin, mobile skin on the dorsal wrist overlies loose subcutaneous tissue containing superficial veins (e.g., cephalic vein laterally, basilic vein medially) and cutaneous nerves. Sensory innervation is primarily from the superficial branch of the radial nerve (lateral dorsal wrist/hand) and the dorsal cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve (medial dorsal wrist/hand), with contributions from the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. These superficial nerves are vulnerable to injury.

Deeper Structures

Deep to the subcutaneous tissue, the extensor retinaculum, a thick fibrous band, stabilizes the extensor tendons as they pass into the hand.

Key dorsal wrist ligaments, including the dorsal radiocarpal ligament and dorsal intercarpal ligament, provide stability. The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), on the ulnar side, is crucial for distal radioulnar joint stability.

Blood Supply

The dorsal carpal arterial network, formed by branches of the radial and ulnar arteries, supplies these tissues.