284 



THE A R TICULA TIOXS 



ciirpus present a smooth, convex surface, made uniformly even by the interosseous 

 ligaments which hind them together. 



The capsule of the Avrist-joint has been usually described as four separate liga- 

 ments, and it will ' be convenient for the sake of a complete description to follow 

 this method; but it must be understood that these four portions are continuous 

 around the joint, extending from styloid process to styloid process on both its 

 aspects. 



The four portions are: — ■ 



Anterior radio-carpal. 

 Posterior radio-carjtal. 



Internal lateral. 

 External lateral. 



Tlie anterior radio-carpal (fig. 231) is a thick strong ligament, attached 

 superiorlv to the radius immediately above the margin of the terminal articular 

 facet, to the curved ridge at the root of the styloid process of the radius, and to the- 

 anterior margin of the triangular cartilage, blending with some fibres of the capsule 



Fio. "i;}!. — AxTKinuK View of Wrist. 



Anterior radio-ulnar 

 ligament 



Internal lateral liga- 

 ment of wrist 

 Flexor carpi ulnaris 





^External lateral ligament 

 of wrist 



Anterior radio-earpal 



ligament 



Tendon of flexor carpi 



radialis 



Capsular ligament of first 

 carpo-metacarpal joint 



*/ f, X) 



of the inferior radio-ulnar joint. It passes downwards and inwards to be attached 

 to both rows of carpal bones, especially the second, and to the anterior intercarpal 

 ligament. The strongest and most oblique fibres arise from the root of the styloid 

 process of tlie radius, and pass oblicjuely over the scaphoid, with which only a few 

 fibres are connected, to lie inserted into the semilunar, magnum, and cuneiform 

 bones. Another set, less oblique, ))asses from the margin of the facet for the 

 semilunar to be attaclied to the adjacent parts of the magnum, unciform, and 

 cuneiform bones. Between the two sets of fil)res, small vessels pass into the joint. 

 Tiic posterior radio-carpal ligament (fig. 232) is attached above the dorsal 

 edge ot tlie lower end of the radius, the back of the styloid process, and the 

 posterior margin of the fibro-cartilage. It passes downwards and inwards to be 

 connected with the first row of the carpal bones, chiefly with the semilunar and 

 cuneiform, and the ])Osterior intercarpal ligament. This ligament is thin and 

 membranous, and is strengthened by (i) strong fibres passing from the back of the 

 fibro-cartilage, where they are blended with the posterior inferior radio-ulnar liga- 

 ment, and, from the edge of the radius just behind the lesser sigmoid fossa, to the 

 cuneiform bone; (ii) from the ridge and groove for the extensor secundi internodii 



