Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2012, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (1): 22-25.

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The applied anatomy of proximal midcarpal joints and ligaments

LI Xiu-zhong1, CAI Jin-fang1, ZHANG Yuan-xin2, TANG Hai-ping2, HOU Shu-jian2, ZHONG Shi-zhen3   

  1. 1.Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, Jinan Military General Hospital, Jinan 250031, China;2. Department of Hand Surgery, the 401th Hospital of PLA, Qingdao 266071, China; 3. Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
  • Received:2011-03-28 Online:2012-01-25 Published:2012-02-03

Abstract:

Objective To observe and measure the anatomic properties of midcarpal articulation and partial carpal ligaments. Methods Sixty upper limb specimens from adult cadavers were used in this investigation. All dissections were carried out under room temperature. Scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and viewed under standard optic microscopy. Results The dorsal and palmar subregions of SLIL and lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL) were stronger than the proximal subregion. The length, width and thickness of the dorsal trapezoid-to-second metacarpal ligaments was about (3.13±0.28) mm, (9.12±0.35) mm and (3.28±0.25)mm averagely, and that of dorsal capitate-to-third metacarpal ligaments was about (3.45±0.15)mm, (11.87±0.44)mm and  (3.03±0.29)mm respectively. Both ligaments could match the size of dorsal SLIL by adequate modification. The histological observation showed the different features between proximal SLIL subregion and dorsal (palmar) subregion. The perforation ratio of SLIL and LTIL in formalin-fixed specimens was higher than that in fresh-frozen specimens obviously. Conclusions The morphologic features of bone, ligament and joints in wrist are complicated. Anatomically, the SLIL are composed of three discrete regions: dorsal, proximal, and palmar. The SLIL are composed of true ligaments dorsally and palmary, as defined by histological studies. Because of the high perforation ratio of SLIL and LTIL, arthrography cannot give accurate information concerning the ligament tear in some case.

Key words: Midcarpal joints, Interosseous ligament, Applied anatomy, Histology

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