INTERCARPAL JOINT 207 



distal row, beyond which they become continuous with the 

 cavity of the carpo-metacarpal joint (Fig. 97). 



The bones of the proximal row are connected together by 

 two dorsal, two volar, and two interosseous ligaments, which 

 pass from the lunate bone to the navicular and triquetral bones, 

 which lie to either side of it. The two interosseous 

 ligaments are composed of short, stout fibres which pass 

 between the non-articular portions of the opposed surfaces of 

 the bones. They are readily seen from the proximal aspect, 

 where they complete the distal surface of the radio-carpal 

 joint. 



The members of the distal row of carpal bones are 

 bound together by three dorsal, three volar, and three inter- 

 osseous ligaments which pass transversely between the adjacent 

 bones. The interosseous ligament between the capitate 

 and the hamate bones is very strong ; that between the 

 capitate bone and the lesser multangular bone is weak and 

 not uncommonly absent. 



At present the interosseous ligaments between the bones of the distal row 

 are hidden from view, but they can be studied when the transverse part of 

 the intercarpal joint is opened. 



The transverse part of the intercarpal joint lies between 

 the proximal and distal rows of carpal bones. The two rows 

 of bones are bound together by an articular capsule which is 

 attached to the volar and dorsal surfaces and the medial and 

 lateral borders of each row. The lateral and medial parts 

 of the capsule are sometimes spoken of as the radial and 

 ulnar ligaments of the transverse carpal joint. The volar 

 and dorsal parts of the capsule are strengthened by numerous 

 bands of fibres. The bands on the dorsal surface are irregular 

 in number and strength, but those on the volar surface are 

 better marked and, for the most part, they radiate from the 

 capitate to the surrounding bones, forming the ligamentum 

 carpi radiatum. One of the bands of this ligament passes 

 from the capitate bone to the styloid process of the radius and 

 blends with the radial collateral ligament of the radio-carpal 

 joint. 



Articular Surfaces. The individual bones of the proximal 

 row and the individual bones of the distal row articulate with 

 one another by flat surfaces. In the transverse part of the 

 intercarpal articulation the proximal parts of the capitate bone 

 and the hamate bone form a high convexity which fits into a 



