Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Ligaments and Joints

Function of Ulnar Collateral Ligament

Resists excessive cubital valgus

Anterior band/bundle of Ulnar Collateral Ligament

Primary stabilizer from 30-120 degrees of elbow flexion

Attachments of Ulnar Collateral Ligament

From medial epicondyle to medial margin of coronoid process and olecranon process

Function of Radial Collateral Ligament

Resists excessive cubital varus

Attachments of Radial Collateral Ligament

From lateral epicondyle to annular ligament

Function of Annular Ligament

Stabilizes the proximal radioulnar joint

Attachment of Annular Ligament

From the anterior margin of the radial notch to posterior margin of radial notch surrounding head of radius

Attachment of Interosseous Membrane

From interosseous border of radius to interosseous border of ulna

Function of Transverse Carpal Ligament

Prevents bowstringing of the tendons of the flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum superficialis & flexor digitorum profundus muscles

Attachment of Transverse Carpal Ligament

From pisiform and hook of hamate to scaphoid and trapezium

Function of Radiocarpal ligaments

Stabilizes carpal bones on the radius

Attachments of radiocarpal ligaments

Dorsal and palmar surface of the distal radius to the first 2 rows of carpal bones

Function of Radial Collateral Ligament of the Wrist

Restrain/limit wrist ulnar deviation

Attachments of Radial Collateral Ligament of the Wrist

From radial styloid process to scaphoid

Function of Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Wrist

Restrain/limit wrist radial deviation

Attachments of Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Wrist

From ulnar styloid process to triquetrum

Function of Collateral Ligaments of the Metacarpophalangeal Joints

Stabilizes metacarpophalangeal joints

Attachments of Collateral Ligaments of the Metacarpophalangeal Joints

From the head of the metacarpals to base of adjacent proximal phalanx

Function of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC)

Stabilize distal radio-ulnar and ulnocarpal joints, form concavity on the ulnar side of the wrist AND transfer compressive forces from hand/wrist to the forearm

Components of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC)

Biconcave fibrocartilage disc

Palmar ulnocarpal ligament

Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Wrist

Humeroulnar Synovial Classification

Hinge or ginglymus

Humeroradial Synovial Classification

Plane/Gliding by morphology; hinge/pivot by function, both are described in anatomical and clinical/surgical literature

Proximal radio-ulnar synovial classification

Pivot or trochoid

Distal radio-ulnar synovial classification

Pivot or trochoid

Radiocarpal synovial classification

Ellipsoidal or condyloid

First (thumb) Carpometacarpal synovial classification

Sellar or saddle

2nd-5th (index, middle, ring, little) Carpometacarpal synovial classifications

Plane or gliding

Metacarpophalangeal synovial classification

Ellipsoidal or condyloid

Interphalangeal synovial classification

Hinge or ginglymus