RADIOLOGIC ANATOMY OF THE METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT-II TO JOINT-V

The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints II to V of 21 hands were examined radiologically and arthrographically. Different recesses of the joint cavity were demonstrated both radiologically and macroscopically, wit h a dominating dorsal recess. The existing forms of the dorsal recess were one-tailed, two-tailed, three-tailed, symmetric and caplike. Addi tionally, a palmar recess was found in the specimens examined, which p resented as a small protrusion of the capsule and lay between the meta carpal head and the palmar plate. Furthermore. a distal recess was fil led and unfolded in almost all the cases. Lateral recesses were found in the radial and ulnar directions beneath the collateral ligaments. T he dorsal recess, due to its ability to collect fluid, is of clinical importance in pathologic processes causing effusions, while the clinic al importance of the lateral recesses lie in their proximity to the st abilizing collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joints. The above mentioned recesses were seen as normal formations of the MCP joi nts and should therefore be taken into account in pathologic processes in this area.