140 



ARTHROLOGY. 



and inferior trapezial ligaments. Its anterior surface is attached 

 to the two rows of bones, while its posterior is smooth, for the 

 passage of the great flexor tendons ; the inferior carpal or cheek 

 ligament is continuous with it. A ligamentous 

 structure passes obliquely downwards from the 

 posterior border of the trapezium to the large 

 and inner metacarpal bones, completing the 

 carpal groove or sheath for the flexor tendons; 

 this is the posterior or investing annular liga- 

 ment. The carpal or check ligaments, superior 

 and inferior, will be alluded to in describing 

 the muscles of this region. 



The synovial capsules are four, perhaps 

 Jive — two small and three large. Of the 

 latter, one is for the radius and the upper row, 

 extending between the bones as far as the 

 interossei; another is situated between the 

 upper and lower rows, and a third between 

 the lower row and metacarpus, dipping be- 

 tween its large and small bones. There is 

 usually a separate synovial capsule between 

 the trapezium and cuneiform "bone, and perhaps 

 one foj the pisiform, when present. 



Motion in the carpus takes place chiefly 

 in the radio-carpal portion, to a far less degree 

 in the intercarpal, and very slightly in the 

 carpo-metacarpal ; the movements are flexion and extension ; very 

 slight lateral and circumductive movements are possible. 



Fig. 65. 

 Superficial ligaments 

 of the carpus— posterior 

 view, a. Posterior annu- 

 lar ligament ; 6 b. Pos- 

 terior common ligament. 



METAC-\RPAL ARTICULATION. 



This consists of diarthrodial and synarthrodial joints. The 

 latter are furnished with interosseous ligaments, which very 

 generally become ossified ; the articular surfaces of the former 

 are held together partly by those carpal ligaments which sur- 

 round them, and partly by the interosseous ligaments just 

 named. 



METACARPO-PHALANGEAL ARTICULATION. 



This, whi'^h is popularly termed the fetlock joint, is formed 

 by the large metacarpal bone, the proximal phalanx, and a pair 



