Wrist Joint

Description

Illustration of the wrist joint

Wrist x-ray with labeled osseous anatomy

Palmar view of the ligaments of the wrist joint

Dorsal view of the ligaments of the wrist joint

General

• Wrist Joint
• Formed by the combined articulation of the radiocarpal joint, ulnocarpal joint and distal radioulnar joint
• Marks the transition from the forearm to the hand

Anatomical Structure

• Radiocarpal Joint
  • Distal Radius and Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum
• Ulnocarpal Joint
  • Distal Ulna and Lunate, Triquetrum
• Distal Radioulnar Joint
  • Synovial joint between the distal ends of the radius and ulna

Joint Capsule

• Joint capsule of the wrist joint
  • Attaches to the radius, ulna and the proximal row of the carpal bones
• Lined internally by a synovial membrane

Ligaments

• Palmar Radiocarpal Ligament
  • Located on the palmar side of the joint
  • Connects the radius to both rows of carpal bones
  • Function: stability, ensure that the hand follows the forearm during supination
• Dorsal Radiocarpal Ligament
  • Found on the dorsal side of the hand
  • Connects the radius to both rows of carpal bones
  • Function: stability, ensures that the hand follows the forearm during pronation
• Ulnar Collateral Ligament
  • Runs from the ulnar styloid process to the triquetrum, pisiform
  • Function: prevent excessive radial deviation of the hand
• Radial Collateral Ligament
  • Runs from the radial styloid process to the scaphoid, trapezium
  • Function: prevent excessive ulnar deviation of the hand

Movement

• Flexion
  • Flexor carpi ulnaris
  • Flexor carpi radialis
  • Flexor digitorum superficialis
• Extension
  • Extensor carpi radialis longus
  • Extensor carpi radialis brevis
  • Extensor carpi ulnaris
  • Extensor digitorum
• Adduction
  • Extensor carpi ulnaris
  • Flexor carpi ulnaris
• Abduction
  • Abductor pollicis longus
  • Flexor carpi radialis
  • Extensor carpi radialis longus
  • Extensor carpi radialis brevis

Vascular Supply

• Radial Artery
• Ulnar Artery

Innervation

• Median Nerve
  • Anterior Interosseous Nerve
• Radial Nerve
  • Posterior Interosseous Nerve
• Ulnar Nerve

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Clinical Significance

• Fractures
  • Distal Radius Fracture
    • Bartons Fracture
    • Chauffers Fracture
    • Colles Fracture
    • Die-Punch Fracture
    • Radial Styloid Fracture
    • Smiths Fracture
  • Distal Ulna Fracture
  • Carpal Fractures
    • Scaphoid Fracture
    • Lunate Fracture
    • Triquetrum Fracture
    • Pisiform Fracture
    • Trapezium Fracture
    • Trapezoid Fracture
    • Capitate Fracture
    • Hamate Fracture
  • Essex Lopresti Fracture
• Dislocations
  • Wrist Dislocation (Radiocarpal and/or Ulnocarpal)
  • Carpometacarpal Joint Dislocation
  • Distal Radioulnar Joint Dislocation
  • Lunate Dislocation
  • Perilunate Dislocation
• Instability & Degenerative
  • Scapholunate Instability
  • Lunotriquetral Instability
  • Scaphoid Nonunion Advanced Collapse
  • Distal Radial Ulnar Joint Instability
  • Kienbocks Disease
  • Dorsal Wrist Impingement
  • Carpal Instability
• Tendinopathies & Ligaments
  • De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
  • Intersection Syndrome
  • TFCC Injury
  • Wrist Tendinopathies
  • Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Tendinopathy
• Neuropathies
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Pronator Teres Syndrome
  • Anterior Interosseus Nerve Syndrome
  • Posterior Interosseus Nerve Syndrome
  • Guyon Canal Syndrome
  • Wartenbergs Syndrome
• Pediatric Considerations
  • Distal Radial Epiphysitis (Gymnast's Wrist)
  • Torus Fracture
• Arthropathies
  • Wrist Osteoarthritis
  • Scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal Joint Arthritis (STT Arthritis)
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Gout
• Cartilage
  • Osteochondral Defect
• Vascular
  • Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome
• Other
  • Ganglion Cyst of Wrist
  • Ulnar Impingement Syndrome
  • Infectious Tenosynovitis

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See Also

• Wrist Pain (Main)
• Hand And Wrist Anatomy (Main)
• Physical Exam Wrist

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