Scapholunate ligament complex

Dr Henry Knipe ◉ ◈ and Dr Andrew Dixon ◉ et al.

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

References

Anatomy: Upper limb

Anatomy: Upper limb

skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
  - conoid tubercle
  - supraclavicular foramen
- scapula
- humerus
  - supracondylar spur
  - olecranon foramen
- radius
- ulna
- carpal bones (mnemonic)
  - scaphoid
    - bipartite scaphoid
  - lunate
    - lunate morphology
  - triquetrum
  - pisiform
  - trapezium
  - trapezoid
  - capitate
  - hamate
  - variants
    - carpal coalition
      - lunotriquetral coalition
      - capito-hamate coalition
- metacarpals
- phalanges
  - terminal tuft
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
  - accessory ossicles of the shoulder
    - os acromiale
  - accessory ossicles of the elbow
    - os supratrochleare dorsale
    - patella cubiti
  - accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
    - os centrale carpi
    - os epilunate
    - os styloideum
    - os hamuli proprium
    - lunula
    - os triangulare
    - trapezium secondarium
    - os paratrapezium
    - os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
joints of the upper limb
- shoulder joint
  - articulations
  - associated structures
    - joint capsule
    - bursae
      - subacromial-subdeltoid (SASD) bursa
      - subscapular recess
      - subcoracoid bursa
      - coracoclavicular bursa
      - supra-acromial bursa
    - ligaments
      - coracoclavicular ligament
        
        conoid ligament
        
        trapezoid ligament
      - costoclavicular ligament
  - movements
    - scapulothoracic joint
      - scapular retraction (adduction)
      - scapular protraction (abduction)
      - scapular elevation
      - scapular depression
      - scapular lateral rotation
      - scapular medial rotation
    - glenohumeral joint
      - arm flexion
      - arm extension
      - arm abduction
      - arm adduction
      - arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
      - arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
      - circumduction
  - blood supply - scapular anastomosis
  - ossification centers
- elbow joint
  - proximal radioulnar joint
  - ligaments
    - medial (ulna) collateral ligament complex
    - lateral (radial) collateral ligament complex
  - associated structures
    - bicipitoradial bursa
    - olecranon bursa
  - movements
  - alignment
  - blood supply - elbow anastomosis
  - development
    - elbow ossification (mnemonic)
    - elbow ossification centers
- wrist joint
  - articulations
  - ligaments
    - intrinsic ligaments
    - extrinsic ligaments
  - associated structures
    - extensor retinaculum
    - flexor retinaculum
    - joint capsule
  - movements
  - alignment
    - carpal arcs
  - ossification
- hand joints
  - articulations
    - carpometacarpal joint
      - triscaphe joint
    - metacarpophalangeal joint
      - palmar ligament (plate)
      - collateral ligament
    - interphalangeal joint
      - palmar ligament (plate)
      - collateral ligament
  - movements
spaces of the upper limb
muscles of the upper limb
blood supply to the upper limb
- arteries
- veins
innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
- brachial plexus (mnemonic)
  - branches from the roots
  - branches from the trunks
    - suprascapular nerve
  - branches from the cords
    - lateral cord
      - lateral pectoral nerve
    - posterior cord
    - medial cord
  - terminal branches
    - ulnar nerve
    - radial nerve
      - posterior interosseous nerve (deep radial nerve)
      - superficial radial nerve
    - musculocutaneous nerve
    - axillary nerve
    - median nerve
      - anterior interosseous nerve
      - bifid median nerve
lymphatic drainage of the upper limb
- axillary lymph nodes

Article information

rID: 34420

System: Musculoskeletal

Section: Anatomy

Tag: refs, cases

Synonyms or Alternate Spellings:

Scapholunate ligament

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