Word
She
Letter
S
Carpal Bone
Scaphoid
Row
Proximal
Resource HubAll Years (1st-Final)All UniversitiesCarpal Bones
Carpal Bones Mnemonic for MBBS (Easy to Remember)
There are 8 carpal bones arranged in two rows at the wrist, and the exam question almost always asks you to name them in order. The mnemonic below gives you all 8 in the correct sequence, proximal row first, and works across Anatomy short notes, spotters, and viva.
SME-reviewed & Updated 2026.
Open this mnemonic in GeckoMed for offline access and linked Anatomy notes.The Carpal Bones Mnemonic
"She Looks Too Pretty, Try To Catch Her"
Read the sentence once. The first letter of each word maps to one carpal bone in sequence: proximal row first (lateral to medial), then distal row (lateral to medial).
What Each Letter Stands For
| Word | Letter | Carpal Bone | Row |
|---|---|---|---|
| She | S | Scaphoid | Proximal |
| Looks | L | Lunate | Proximal |
| Too | T | Triquetrum | Proximal |
| Pretty | P | Pisiform | Proximal |
| Try | T | Trapezium | Distal |
| To | T | Trapezoid | Distal |
| Catch | C | Capitate | Distal |
| Her | H | Hamate | Distal |
Word
Looks
Letter
L
Carpal Bone
Lunate
Row
Proximal
Word
Too
Letter
T
Carpal Bone
Triquetrum
Row
Proximal
Word
Pretty
Letter
P
Carpal Bone
Pisiform
Row
Proximal
Word
Try
Letter
T
Carpal Bone
Trapezium
Row
Distal
Word
To
Letter
T
Carpal Bone
Trapezoid
Row
Distal
Word
Catch
Letter
C
Carpal Bone
Capitate
Row
Distal
Word
Her
Letter
H
Carpal Bone
Hamate
Row
Distal
The sequence runs from the radial (thumb) side to the ulnar (little finger) side in both rows. This is the standard direction for naming carpal bones in MBBS Anatomy exams.
How to Remember This Mnemonic
Two Ts at the junction. The transition from proximal to distal row is the trickiest part because both rows end and start with T (Triquetrum, then Trapezium). Use the sentence rhythm: "Too Pretty — pause — Try To Catch" to mark the row change. The pause falls between Pisiform and Trapezium.
Trapezium vs Trapezoid. This is the single most confused pair. Remember: Trapezium = Thumb side. Trapezium articulates with the base of the 1st metacarpal (thumb), so when in doubt, Trapezium comes before Trapezoid in the lateral-to-medial order.
Pisiform is the odd one out. It is a sesamoid bone embedded in the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris tendon — the only sesamoid in the carpal group. Examiners sometimes test this as a standalone short note, so flagging it helps the mnemonic stick.
How This Topic Appears in MBBS University Exams
Carpal bones appear in 1st Year Anatomy papers across all seven target universities. Common question formats:
- "Name the carpal bones." — Short answer, 3 to 5 marks. Naming them in order from the mnemonic is sufficient.
- "Write a short note on the Scaphoid bone." — The most commonly fractured carpal bone and the one most likely to appear as an individual short note. Examiners often ask about its blood supply, why it is vulnerable to avascular necrosis, and its relation to the anatomical snuff box.
- "What are the boundaries of the anatomical snuff box?" — The floor of the anatomical snuff box is the Scaphoid. Knowing your carpal bones in order helps you place the Scaphoid correctly.
- Spotters and OSCEs. Carpal bone models and X-rays are standard spotter material in Anatomy practical exams. Identifying the Pisiform (ulnar side, sesamoid) and the Scaphoid (radial side, most lateral in proximal row) are the two most commonly tested spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest mnemonic for the carpal bones?
"She Looks Too Pretty, Try To Catch Her" covers all 8 carpal bones in the correct proximal-to-distal, lateral-to-medial order. Each word gives the first letter of one bone: Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate.
Which carpal bone is most commonly tested in MBBS Anatomy exams?
The Scaphoid is the most frequently tested individual carpal bone. Exam questions typically focus on its blood supply, its susceptibility to avascular necrosis after fracture, and its role in forming the floor of the anatomical snuff box.
Do I need to know the carpal bones for viva?
Yes. Carpal bones are standard viva territory in 1st Year Anatomy practical examinations. Be ready to name them in order, identify them on a model or X-ray, and explain the clinical relevance of the Scaphoid specifically.
Try Gecko Med
Practice smarter with the app behind these resources.
Revise high-yield topics, solve previous year questions, and keep your MBBS prep moving in one place.