The dorsal ligaments of the wrist.

Abstract

The anatomy and function of the dorsal ligaments of the wrist have received increased attention over the past decade. The anatomy, variability, osseous attachments, and function of the dorsal radiocarpal (DRC) and the dorsal intercarpal (DIC) ligaments have been studied. More detailed anatomic and mechanical studies of the subregions of the intercarpal ligaments have also been recently reported. The DRC and the DIC form a lateral V configuration that allows normal carpal kinematics while maintaining an indirect dorsal stabilizing effect on the scaphoid throughout the range of motion of the wrist. The DRC and the DIC together, in their lateral V configuration, act effectively as a dorsal radioscaphoid ligament that has the ability to vary its length three-fold by changing the angle between two arms of the V.