Handryggen

Handryggen is a Norwegian term that refers to the back of the hand, the dorsal surface opposite the palm. In anatomical and medical contexts it describes the skin, veins, tendons, and other structures on the upper side of the hand from the wrist to the knuckles. The term is used in everyday language as well as in clinical descriptions to distinguish the back of the hand from the håndflate, the palm side.

Etymology and usage: The word is a compound of hånd (hand) and ryggen (the back), with the definite form -en as in håndryggen. In Bokmål and standard Norwegian usage, the expression denotes the anatomical dorsum manus. It appears in medical textbooks, guides to first aid, and descriptive language about injuries such as lacerations, burns, or swelling on the back of the hand. The term is neutral and non-technical in ordinary speech, while remaining precise in clinical contexts.

Geographic or toponymic use: There is no widely cited geographic feature known as Handryggen in major geographic databases. If the name appears in a local context, it would likely be a descriptive toponym for a ridge or slope that resembles the back of a hand or that has some visual or historical association with the term. Without region-specific references, Handryggen remains primarily an anatomical term in Norwegian.