Which carpal bone is described by the mnemonic 'hammer'?

• A. Capitate
• B. Hamate
• C. Trapezium
• D. Scaphoid

Answer: (B)

Memorizing carpal bones often uses clues that map a feature to a familiar word. The clue “hammer” points to the hamate because this bone has a distinctive hooked projection called the hamulus. That hook is a defining feature and gives the hamate a shape that can be likened to the head of a hammer or its hooked end, making the mnemonic a natural cue.

The hamate sits in the distal row on the ulnar side and has articular surfaces with the capitate and the 4th and 5th metacarpals. The hook of hamate even helps form part of the boundary of Guyon’s canal, through which the ulnar nerve travels. Because other carpal bones lack such a prominent hook, the mnemonic “hammer” is especially well suited to recalling the hamate.