Final answer:
The scaphoid bone is the most commonly fractured carpal bone in the wrist. It can be fractured due to a fall onto the hand. Healing takes longer in the scaphoid bone due to its poor blood supply.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the wrist, the most commonly fractured carpal bone is the scaphoid. This bone is often fractured due to a fall onto the hand. A radiograph taken a few weeks after the injury can reveal the fracture, as tissue swelling would have subsided. The scaphoid bone has a poor blood supply, so healing can be slow and there is a risk of bone necrosis and degenerative joint disease of the wrist.