Lister's tubercle

Lister's Tubercle is a bony prominence located on the dorsal side of the distal radius. It was named after the British surgeon Joseph Lister, who first described it in the 19th century. The tubercle serves as a landmark for surgeons during wrist surgery, particularly in procedures involving the carpal tunnel and the extensor pollicis longus tendon.

Etymology

The term "Lister's Tubercle" is derived from the name of Joseph Lister, a British surgeon who was a pioneer in the field of antiseptic surgery. Lister first described the tubercle in the 19th century. The word "tubercle" comes from the Latin "tuberculum", meaning a small swelling or lump.

Anatomy

Lister's Tubercle is a small, bony prominence found on the dorsal side of the distal radius, one of the two bones in the forearm. It is located approximately in the middle of the dorsal radius, and is easily palpable. The tubercle serves as a pulley for the extensor pollicis longus tendon, one of the tendons that controls thumb movement.

Clinical Significance

Due to its location and prominence, Lister's Tubercle serves as an important surgical landmark. It is particularly useful in procedures involving the wrist and hand, such as carpal tunnel release surgery and surgery on the extensor pollicis longus tendon. The tubercle can also be involved in certain types of wrist fractures, such as a distal radius fracture.

Related Terms

• Distal radius fracture: A break in the larger of the two bones in the forearm, near the wrist. Lister's Tubercle can be involved in these fractures.
• Carpal tunnel: A narrow passageway in the wrist, through which several tendons and the median nerve pass. Lister's Tubercle is used as a landmark in surgery to release the carpal tunnel.
• Extensor pollicis longus: A tendon that controls thumb movement. Lister's Tubercle serves as a pulley for this tendon.

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  Left hand dorsal view