Scapholunate ligament complex
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Dixon A, Campos A, Knipe H, Scapholunate ligament complex. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 15 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-34420
rID:
34420
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Andrew Dixon had no recorded disclosures.
View Andrew Dixon's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Arlene Campos had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Arlene Campos's current disclosures
Revisions:
3 times, by
3 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Scapholunate ligament
The scapholunate ligament complex is a U-shaped ligamentous complex joining the lunate and the scaphoid.
Gross anatomy
It is divided into dorsal, volar and intermediate components with surrounding secondary stabilizers.
Dorsal component
short, transverse collagen fibers
3 mm thick
blends with joint capsule, scaphotriquetral and intercarpal ligaments
strongest portion of the complex
controls flexion/extension
complete defect is usually symptomatic
Volar component
oblique collagen fibers
1 mm thick
blends with extrinsic volar radioscapholunate ligament
controls rotational motion
major proprioceptive role
Intermediate/interosseous component
located proximally and centrally and therefore may be referred to as the central or proximal component
fibrocartilage
sparse neurovascular supply
weakest portion of the complex
extends a few millimeters into the joint, akin to a meniscus
often asymptomatic when torn in isolation
usually tears at the scaphoid attachment
Secondary stabilizers
scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal ligament
radio-scapho-capitiate ligament
Related pathology
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Bateni C, Bartolotta R, Richardson M, Mulcahy H, Allan C. Imaging Key Wrist Ligaments: What the Surgeon Needs the Radiologist to Know. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2013;200(5):1089-95. doi:10.2214/AJR.12.9738 - Pubmed
- 2. Berger R. The Gross and Histologic Anatomy of the Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament. J Hand Surg Am. 1996;21(2):170-8. doi:10.1016/S0363-5023(96)80096-7 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Signet ring sign (scaphoid)
- Ganglion cysts of the hand and wrist
- Wrist
- Lunate
- Scapholunate dissociation
- Scaphoid
- Wrist ligaments
- MRI of the wrist (an approach)
- Medical abbreviations and acronyms (S)
- Dorsal intercalated segment instability
- Perilunate dislocation
- Scapholunate interval
- Lunotriquetral ligament
- Scapholunate advanced collapse
Cases:
- Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC)
- Isolated scapholunate ligament tear
- Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC)
- Scapholunate ligament disruption
- Incomplete tear of the scapholunate ligament sparing the dorsal component
- Dorsal intercalated segmental instability
- Scapholunate advanced collapse
- Volar intercalated segmental instability (VISI)
- Scapholunate ligament disruption
- Scapholunate ganglia and lunotriquetral coalition
- Widened scapholunate interval
- Distal intersection syndrome
- Dorsal wrist ganglion cyst
Multiple choice questions:
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
-
skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- hand
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
-
accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os epitriquetrum
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
-
pectoral girdle
-
shoulder joint
- articulations
- associated structures
- joint capsule
- bursae
- ligaments
- movements
- scapulothoracic joint
-
glenohumeral joint
- arm flexion
- arm extension
- arm abduction
- arm adduction
- arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
- arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
- circumduction
- arterial supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centers
-
shoulder joint
-
elbow joint
- proximal radioulnar joint
- ligaments
- associated structures
- movements
- alignment
- arterial supply - elbow anastomosis
- development
-
wrist joint
- articulations
-
ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
- extrinsic ligaments
- radioscaphoid ligament
- dorsal intercarpal ligament
- dorsal radiotriquetral ligament
- dorsal radioulnar ligament
- volar radioulnar ligament
- radioscaphocapitate ligament
- long radiolunate ligament
- Vickers ligament
- short radiolunate ligament
- ulnolunate ligament
- ulnotriquetral ligament
- ulnocapitate ligament
- ulnar collateral ligament
- associated structures
- extensor retinaculum
- flexor retinaculum
- joint capsule
- movements
- alignment
- ossification centers
-
hand joints
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
-
metacarpophalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
-
interphalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
- movements
- ossification centers
- articulations
-
pectoral girdle
- spaces of the upper limb
- muscles of the upper limb
- shoulder girdle
- anterior compartment of the arm
- posterior compartment of the arm
-
anterior compartment of the forearm
- superficial
- intermediate
- deep
-
posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
- superficial
- deep
- muscles of the hand
-
accessory muscles
- elbow
- volar wrist midline
- palmaris longus profundus
- aberrant palmaris longus
- volar wrist radial-side
- accessory flexor digitorum superficialis indicis
- flexor indicis profundus
- flexor carpi radialis vel profundus
- accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus (Gantzer muscle, common)
- volar wrist ulnar-side
- dorsal wrist
- blood supply to the upper limb
-
arteries
- subclavian artery (mnemonic)
- axillary artery
- brachial artery (proximal portion)
- ulnar artery
- radial artery
- veins
-
arteries
- innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
-
brachial plexus (mnemonic)
- branches from the roots
- branches from the trunks
- branches from the cords
- lateral cord
- posterior cord
- medial cord
- terminal branches
- lymphatic drainage of the upper limb
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