Wrist vs. Forearm — What's the Difference?

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; (2) the wrist joint or radiocarpal joint, the joint between the radius and the carpus and; (3) the anatomical region surrounding the carpus including the distal parts of the bones of the forearm and the proximal parts of the metacarpus or five metacarpal bones and the series of joints between these bones, thus referred to as wrist joints. This region also includes the carpal tunnel, the anatomical snuff box, bracelet lines, the flexor retinaculum, and the extensor retinaculum.

The forearm is the region of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. The term forearm is used in anatomy to distinguish it from the arm, a word which is most often used to describe the entire appendage of the upper limb, but which in anatomy, technically, means only the region of the upper arm, whereas the lower "arm" is called the forearm.

The joint between the human hand and forearm.

To arm or prepare in advance of a conflict.

A similar joint in other vertebrates.

The part of the arm between the wrist and the elbow.

See carpus.

The corresponding part of the foreleg in certain quadrupeds, such as a horse.

The part of a sleeve or glove that encircles the wrist.

The part of the arm between the wrist and the elbow.

To shoot (a puck) by making a wrist shot.

(firearms) A section of the weapon between the receiver and the muzzle, used to hold the firearm steady.

(anatomy) The complex joint between forearm bones, carpus, and metacarpals where the hand is attached to the arm; the carpus in a narrow sense.

To arm in preparation.

(engineering) A stud or pin which forms a journal.

To arm or prepare for attack or resistance before the time of need.

(ice hockey) to hit a wrist shot

That part of the arm or fore limb between the elbow and wrist; the antibrachium.

The joint, or the region of the joint, between the hand and the arm; the carpus. See Carpus.

The part of the superior limb between the elbow and the wrist

A stud or pin which forms a journal; - also called wrist pin.

Arm in advance of a confrontation

A joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones