AN ANATOMIC STUDY OF THE LIGAMENTOUS STRUCTURE OF THE TRIANGULAR FIBROCARTILAGE COMPLEX

An anatomic study of the ligamentous structures of the triangular fibr ocartilage complex and their attachments on the ulnar styloid was perf ormed using 27 embalmed cadaver wrists. The dorsal and palmar distal r adioulnar ligaments of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in each s pecimen contained a superficial and a deep portion. The deep portion o f both ligaments inserted on the fovea of the ulna. The superficial po rtion of both ligaments surrounded the articular disc uniting at the u lnar-most portion of the articular disc. The tissue that is between th e ulnar aspect of the superficial ligament (and integrated on its peri phery) and the ulnar capsule is defined as the meniscus homologue. Ana tomic variations in the meniscus homologue and the prestyloid recess ( the cavity adjacent to the ulnar styloid) were seen in 1 of 3 ways; th e narrow opening type in 74% of specimens, the wide opening type in 11 %, and the no opening type in 15%. The ulnotriquetral ligament inserte d on the palmar-radial aspect of the base of the ulnar styloid and the ulnolunate ligament inserted on the palmar border of the articular di sc. (J Hand Surg 1998;23A:977-985. Copyright (C) 1998 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.).