CARPAL, METACARPAL AND PHALANGEAL JOINTS 



Surgical note. The anterior ligament of the wrist-joint is 

 remarkably strong and seldom torn; the lower end of the radius 

 breaks instead, under sudden great force, as in Colics' fracture. 



Carpal. Eight bones arranged in two rows, bound firmly to- 

 gether by short ligaments. Motions Gliding only. 



Metacarpal. Five bones, articulated by their bases to the 

 carpus, and by their heads to the digits. Head of first, belong- 

 ing to thumb, is free; heads of others connected together by a 

 transverse band. Motions Slight gliding, except in case of the 



Ulnar radio-ulnar 

 ligament . 



Ulnar collateral lig- 

 ament of wrist 

 Flexor carpi ulnaris 



Radial collateral 



ligament of wrist 

 Volar radio carpal 



ligament 



Tendon of fl e x o r 

 carpi radialis 



Capsular ligament 

 of first carpo-met- 

 acarpal joint 



FIG. 58. ANTERIOR VIEW OF WRIST. (Morris.} 



thumb, which may be flexed or bent upon the palm; extended 

 or straightened; abducted from hand; adducted toward hand. 



Surgical note. In the normal hand, a dislocation of the thumb 

 is most difficult of reduction, because the metacarpal head and 

 the base of the first phalanx are interlocked in such a manner 

 as to form what is called a joint by reciprocal reception, or " saddle 

 joint." 



Phalangeal.- Three bones in each finger, two in the thumb. 

 Anterior, posterior, and lateral ligaments. Motions Flexion and 

 extension. 



