Final answer:
The scaphoid bone is susceptible to avascular necrosis due to its poor blood supply, which can lead to degenerative joint disease of the wrist when the bone fractures and does not heal well.
Step-by-step explanation:
The carpal bone that is susceptible to avascular necrosis is the scaphoid bone. This susceptibility is mainly due to the bone's poor blood supply. When the scaphoid is fractured, typically from a fall onto the hand, it does not heal well and there's a high risk of the bone tissue dying (necrosis), which can lead to degenerative joint disease of the wrist. Deep pain at the lateral wrist following such an injury may initially be misdiagnosed as a wrist sprain, but a radiograph several weeks later can reveal the fracture and consequent issues.
The scaphoid bone is part of the complex structure of the wrist that includes the carpal tunnel, formed by the carpal bones and the flexor retinaculum. Injuries to the carpal bones, especially the scaphoid due to its limited blood supply, can therefore cause significant health problems, including impaired wrist function and chronic pain.