Dorsal intercarpal ligaments

At a glance

English

Dorsal intercarpal ligaments

Latin (TA2)

Ligamenta intercarpea dorsalia

System

Ligament

Region

Hand

Side

Paired, left and right

About the dorsal intercarpal ligaments

The dorsal intercarpal ligaments are a series of fibrous bands lying on the back of the carpus. They run mostly across the wrist, from one carpal bone to the next, binding the bones of each row together and linking the two rows. They lie on the dorsal capsule of the intercarpal and midcarpal joints, under the extensor tendons and their synovial sheaths, which are held down further back by the extensor retinaculum.

In modern descriptions the most distinct of these bands is a single dorsal intercarpal ligament that runs from the triquetrum, on the ulnar side, across the backs of the lunate and capitate region to the scaphoid and on to the trapezoid and trapezium. Its ulnar end shares an attachment on the triquetrum with the dorsal radiocarpal ligament, and the two diverge to form a sideways V on the back of the wrist, the radiocarpal band reaching up to the radius and the intercarpal band crossing over to the scaphoid side. Shorter bands join neighbouring bones within each row.

The carpal bones are not fixed; they shift on one another as the wrist bends, straightens and tilts towards the radius or ulna. The dorsal intercarpal ligaments hold the bones of each row together so that the row moves as a unit, and they help guide the scaphoid and lunate as the proximal row rotates. Together with the palmar and interosseous intercarpal ligaments, they keep the carpal arch in shape. The interosseous ligaments between scaphoid and lunate, and between lunate and triquetrum, are the most important of all for keeping the proximal row together.

Tears of the dorsal ligaments often accompany injuries of the scapholunate interosseous ligament after a fall on the outstretched hand. A dorsal wrist ganglion, a common fluid-filled swelling, usually arises from the capsule and ligaments over the scapholunate region.

Attachments and function

Attaches from

The dorsal surface of the triquetrum and of the other carpal bones, each band starting on one bone.

Attaches to

The dorsal surface of the neighbouring carpal bones; the main band reaches the scaphoid, trapezoid and trapezium.

Function

Bind the carpal bones together on the back of the wrist, keep each row moving as a unit and help guide the proximal row during wrist movement.

Nerve supply

Articular branches of the posterior interosseous nerve.

Blood supply

Branches of the dorsal carpal arch.