Topographical anatomy of the palmar carpal ligaments in Korean adults

Lee, Kyu Seok; Chung, In Hyuk

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the structural characteristics of the palmar carpal ligaments. The palmar carpal ligaments of the thirty-two wrist of Korean adults were dissected and observed with the surgical microscope and then measured the size of the ligaments. Palmar radiocarpal ligaments were composed of the five ligaments. The radiotriquetral ligament was appeared at 43.8%. The attaching types of radiocapitate ligament to radius were classified to three types. The first type is that the radiocapitate ligament is attached to radius not overlapped with medially situated ligaments, the second type is overlapped with medially situated ligaments partially, and third type is overlapped completely. The radiotriquetral ligamnet was attached to triquetrum with three types. The first type is superficially situated to ulnotriquetral ligament, the second type is deeply situated and third type is intermingled with ulnotriquetral ligament. The radiolunate ligament was the thickest than other ligaments. The palmar ulnocarpal ligaments were composed of the five ligaments. The ulnocapitate ligament was appeared at 59.4%. The ulnocapitate ligament was strong ligament in the length, the thickness, and the width. The palmar ulnocarpal ligaments were thin in compare with the palmar radiocarpal ligaments. Ulnoradiate and ulnopisiform ligament were not prominent, but these two ligaments were important in triangular fibrocartilage complex that was contributed stability to distal radioulnar joint. The distance from styloid process of radius to palmar radiocarpal ligaments was short in radiocapitate ligament, and long in radioscapholunate ligament.