Ulnotriquetral ligament

Last revised by Joachim Feger on 10 Dec 2021

The ulnotriquetral ligament is one of the intracapsular extrinsic palmar ulnocarpal ligaments and a component of the ulnocarpal complex 1-4.

The ulnotriquetral ligament forms the anterior and ulnar part of the ulnocarpal joint capsule together with the ulnolunate ligament, with which it shares a common origin and connects the volar radioulnar ligament and thus the triangular fibrocartilage complex to the triquetral bone 1-3.

The ulnotriquetral ligament originates together with the ulnolunate ligament from the volar radioulnar ligament 1-3.

Distally the ulnotriquetral ligament fans out and inserts broadly onto the palmar proximal and ulnar cortex of the triquetral bone 1-4.

The ulnotriquetral ligament features often a pisotriquetral and prestyloid orifice and variable distal attachments to the styloid process 1

The ulnotriquetral ligament can be visualized on ultrasound with the transducer placed at the volar ulnar aspect of the wrist in the longitudinal plane. The long axis of the ligament is then displayed as an echogenic, fibrillary structure coursing over the ulnocarpal joint and connecting the volar radioulnar ligament to the triquetrum. Proximally it cannot be demarcated from the ulnolunate ligament 2,3.

The ulnotriquetral ligament can be visualized on MRI best on coronal or 3D images 4. With proper anatomical knowledge, it can be also variably seen on sagittal images. It has a hypointense, striated appearance and is seen anterior to the medial ulnocarpal joint.

The ligament is most likely injured or involved in the following pathologic conditions 6-8:

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