Dorsal scaphotriquetral ligament
Ligamentum scaphotriquetrum dorsale
A band on the back of the wrist that runs across the proximal carpal row from the triquetrum to the scaphoid.
At a glance
- English
- Dorsal scaphotriquetral ligament
- Latin (TA2)
- Ligamentum scaphotriquetrum dorsale
- System
- Ligament
- Region
- Hand
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the dorsal scaphotriquetral ligament
The dorsal scaphotriquetral ligament lies on the dorsal surface of the wrist, just beneath the extensor tendons. It is the main part of what is often called the dorsal intercarpal ligament. It runs roughly transversely across the back of the proximal row of the carpus, from the triquetrum on the ulnar side to the scaphoid on the radial side, crossing the back of the lunate on the way and attaching loosely to it.
On the scaphoid it is fixed to the dorsal surface and to the dorsal ridge of the bone near its distal end. Some of its fibres continue onto the trapezium and trapezoid. On the triquetrum it shares its attachment with the dorsal radiocarpal ligament, which comes obliquely from the back of the lower radius. The two ligaments diverge from the triquetrum, forming a sideways V shape on the back of the wrist, with its point at the triquetrum.
It acts as a dorsal sling around the proximal row. As the wrist moves, the lunate and scaphoid rotate within this sling, and the ligament limits their rotation and the separation between the scaphoid and the lunate and triquetrum. It also adds dorsal support to the joint between the lunate and the capitate, and so works with the scapholunate interosseous ligament in keeping the scaphoid from rotating into flexion.
Surgeons use these ligaments as landmarks. A common way to open the back of the wrist splits the capsule along the line of the dorsal intercarpal and dorsal radiocarpal ligaments, so that both can be repaired and stability is kept. Damage to the dorsal ligaments contributes to the instability that develops after tears of the scapholunate ligament.
Attachments and function
- Attaches from
- The dorsal surface of the triquetrum.
- Attaches to
- The dorsal surface and dorsal ridge of the scaphoid, with some fibres to the trapezium and trapezoid.
- Function
- Forms a dorsal sling over the proximal carpal row, limiting rotation and separation of the scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum.
Anthromica
See the dorsal scaphotriquetral ligament where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
