Origins and insertions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex: A histological study

The origins and insertions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) were examined histologically in serially sectioned fresh-frozen cadaver wri sts. The radioulnar ligament arose vertically through Sharpey's fibres from a broad area in the ulnar fovea and more horizontally from a narrow area a t the base of the ulnar styloid. The floor of the extensor carpi ulnaris sh eath also originated firmly from the dorsal side of the fovea of the ulna, through an arrangement of Sharpey's fibres. Loose ulnocarpally oriented fib res, corresponding to a thickened ulnar joint capsule, arose from the hyali ne-like cartilage matrix at the tip of the ulnar styloid and inserted onto the triquetrum without Sharpey's fibres. The ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments originated not from the ulna, but from the palmar side of the TFC C. The insertion of the TFCC into the sigmoid notch of the radius demonstra ted a central transition from the fibrocartilaginous disc into hyaline cart ilage and a firmer fibroosseous transition of the dorsal and palmar portion s of the radioulnar ligament at the periphery.