Ulnocapitate ligament
Ligamentum ulnocapitatum
A palmar wrist ligament running from the head of the ulna obliquely across the carpus to the capitate.
At a glance
- English
- Ulnocapitate ligament
- Latin (TA2)
- Ligamentum ulnocapitatum
- System
- Ligament
- Region
- Hand
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the ulnocapitate ligament
The ulnocapitate ligament is one of the bands that together form the palmar ulnocarpal ligament, the group of fibres that ties the end of the ulna to the bones of the wrist. Its companions are the ulnolunate, ulnotriquetral and ulnopisiform ligaments. Of the group it is the most superficial and the longest, and it is the only one that reaches beyond the proximal carpal row.
It arises mainly from the fovea at the base of the ulnar styloid and from the palmar edge of the soft-tissue complex around the articular disc. From there it runs distally and towards the radial side, passing in front of the lunate and triquetrum, to reach the palmar surface of the capitate. There its fibres meet those of the radioscaphocapitate ligament, coming across from the radial side, and the two form an arch that supports the head of the capitate.
The palmar ulnocarpal ligament is one of the main stabilising groups of the wrist. The others are the dorsal and palmar radiocarpal ligaments, the dorsal ulnocarpal ligament and the two collateral ligaments. By linking the ulna to both carpal rows, the ulnocapitate band helps keep the carpus from sagging away from the ulna and supports the midcarpal joint on its ulnar side.
Injury to the ulnocarpal ligaments is one of the causes of pain on the ulnar side of the wrist, often together with tears of the articular disc. Surgeons repairing the disc complex or reconstructing the distal radioulnar joint need to keep these bands intact, because they carry much of the ulnar support of the carpus.
Attachments and function
- Attaches from
- The fovea of the ulnar head and the palmar margin of the articular disc complex.
- Attaches to
- The palmar surface of the capitate, where it interlaces with the radioscaphocapitate ligament.
- Function
- Suspends the ulnar side of the carpus from the ulna and supports the midcarpal joint.
Anthromica
See the ulnocapitate 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.
