What does carpi mean?
"Carpi" is the plural of "carpus," the anatomical term for the wrist. In humans, each carpus consists of eight small bones arranged in two rows between the forearm bones and the metacarpals of the hand; together, the two joints are referred to as the carpi. The word appears chiefly in medical, anatomical, veterinary, and forensic writing, where precision matters more than the casual term "wrists" — for example, when describing fractures, arthritis, or comparative anatomy across species such as horses or dogs. Because it is a technical Latin plural, it takes plural verbs ("the carpi were symmetrical"). Outside specialist contexts it is rare, but it remains useful for anyone reading medical reports, anatomy texts, or zoological literature, where the wrist's intricate structure must be described accurately and unambiguously.
nounThe plural of carpus: the group of eight small bones that make up the wrist in humans and the corresponding joint in many animals.
- Plural of carpus: the eight small bones forming the wrist joint in humans and other vertebrates.
"The X-ray revealed a hairline fracture in one of the carpi."
"The radiologist compared the carpi on both films to check for signs of arthritis."
"In quadrupeds, the carpi correspond to what are commonly called the knees of the forelimbs."
"Carpus" has the regular Latin plural "carpi"; the anglicized "carpuses" is not standard.
"The surgeon examined both carpi before scheduling the operation."
Your wrists hide eight tiny bones each — and anatomists call the pair of them, collectively, your carpi.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of carpi
"Carpus" derives directly from the Latin carpus, which itself was borrowed from the Greek karpos (καρπός), meaning "wrist." The Greek term entered anatomical Latin during the Renaissance revival of classical medical vocabulary and has remained standard ever since. English also uses the adjectival form "carpal" (from the same root), as in "carpal tunnel syndrome," and compounds such as "carpometacarpal."
How carpi is actually used
"Carpi" is almost exclusively used in medical, anatomical, veterinary, and scientific contexts; everyday speech simply says "wrists." It functions as the plural of "carpus," so it takes plural verbs.
Easily confused with carpi
"Carpe" is the Latin imperative meaning "seize" (as in carpe diem), whereas "carpi" refers to the wrist bones — the two share only a similar spelling.