Joints and Ligaments of the Upper Limb

Joint or ligament	Description	Notes
Joints and Ligaments of the Upper Limb - Listed Alphabetically
acromioclavicular joint see image	also know as the "AC joint", it is the joint between the distal end of the clavicle and the acromion of the scapula	a plane synovial joint; the AC joint allows the ability to raise the arm above the head. This joint functions as a pivot point (although technically it is a gliding synovial joint), acting like a strut to help with movement of the scapula resulting in a greater degree of arm rotation; the shape of the articulation encourages the acromion to slide inferior to the clavicle during dislocation (shoulder separation) a condition that occurs when the coracoclavicular ligament is torn; a small articular disk occurs within this joint capsule
annular ligament see image	also known as the anular ligament of radius, it encircles the head of the radius	It forms about four-fifths of the osseo-fibrous ring, and is attached to the anterior and posterior margins of the radial notch; a few of its lower fibers are continued around below the cavity and form at this level a complete fibrous ring. Its upper border blends with the anterior and posterior ligaments of the elbow, while from its lower border a thin loose membrane passes to be attached to the neck of the radius; a thickened band which extends from the inferior border of the annular ligament below the radial notch to the neck of the radius is known as the quadrate ligament. The superficial surface of the annular ligament is strengthened by the radial collateral ligament of the elbow, and affords origin to part of the supinator. Its deep surface is smooth, and lined by synovial membrane, which is continuous with that of the elbow-joint. The annular ligament provides stability to the radius against distal dislocation.
carpometacarpal joint, finger see image	these are five joints in the wrist that articulate the distal row of carpal bones and the proximal bases of the five metacarpal bones.	a synovial plane joint; limited motion is permitted at the carpometacarpal joint; the carpometacarpal joint is reinforced by dorsal and palmar ligaments
carpometacarpal joint, thumb see image	also known as the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMC) because it connects the trapezium to the first metacarpal bone	a synovial saddle (sellar) joint; this articulation permits two planes of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined to produce circumduction; it plays an irreplaceable role in the normal functioning of the thumb. The most important joint connecting the wrist to the metacarpus, osteoarthritis of the TMC is a severely disabling condition; up to twenty times more common among old women than in average.
coracoacromial ligament see image	this ligament connects the coracoid process to the acromion of the scapula	this ligament, together with the coracoid process and the acromion, forms a vault for the protection of the head of the humerus.
coracoclavicular joint see image	A joint in the shoulder formed between the coracoid process of the scapula and the inferior surface of the sternum.	a syndesmosis; this joint provides stability to the acromioclavicular joint
coracoclavicular ligament see image	a ligament that connects the upper surface of the coracoid process to the under surface of the clavicle	it has two parts: 1) the conoid ligament (posteromedial part) and 2) the trapezoid ligament; tearing of the coracoclavicular ligament permits the acromion to move inferior to the distal end of the clavicle (shoulder separation), a condition which could result from a fall on the point of the shoulder
costoclavicular ligament see image	a ligament that attaches the clavicle to the first rib	it resists superior displacement of the proximal end of the clavicle; the combined effect of this ligament, the sternoclavicular ligament and the interclavicular ligament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular joint that seldom dislocates
elbow joint see image	the joint between the distal humerus and the proximal radius and ulna	a synovial hinge joint; the elbow joint is a complex joint; three bones form the elbow joint: the humerus of the upper arm, and the paired radius and ulna of the forearm; it is strengthened by the ulnar and radial collateral ligaments
glenohumeral ligament, inferior see image	a ligament reinforcing the anterior wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral joint	it connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening of the anteroinferior shoulder joint capsule
glenohumeral ligament, middle see image	a ligament reinforcing the anterior wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral joint	it connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening of the anterior shoulder joint capsule
glenohumeral ligament, superior see image	a ligament reinforcing the anterior wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral joint	it connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening of the anterosuperior shoulder joint capsule
intercarpal ligaments, dorsal see image	a series of short ligaments that connect adjacent carpal bones on their dorsal aspects	the intercarpal ligaments reinforce the articular capsule of the intercarpal joints and they prevent excessive movement of these synovial plane joints
intercarpal ligaments, palmar see image	a series of short ligaments that connect adjacent carpal bones on their ventral aspects	the intercarpal ligaments reinforce the articular capsule of the intercarpal joints and they prevent excessive movement of these synovial plane joints
interclavicular ligament see image	a ligament that reinforces the capsule of the sternoclavicular joint	this ligament is a flattened band, which varies considerably in form and size in different individuals, it passes in a curved direction from the upper part of the sternal end of one clavicle to that of the other, and is also attached to the upper margin of the sternum.
intermetacarpal joint see image	the bases of the second, third, fourth and fifth metacarpal bones articulate with one another by small surfaces covered with cartilage, and are connected together by dorsal, volar, and interosseous ligaments.	a synovial plane joint; limited motion is possible between at the carpometacarpal joints or between adjacent metacarpal bones
interosseous membrane, forearm see image	this is a fibrous sheet that connects the radius and the ulna. It is the main part of the radio-ulnar syndesmosis, a fibrous joint between the two bones.	a syndesmosis; its fibers are oriented obliquely downward from the radius toward the ulna; the interosseous membrane is the classic example of a syndesmosis; proximally directed forces from the hand pass through the radius and are transferred to the ulna through the interosseous membrane; marked proximally by the oblique cord
interphalangeal joints see image	these are the hinge joints between the phalanges of the hand (i.e. the finger bones); There are two sets (except in the thumb): -- the "proximal interphalangeal joints" (PIJ), those between the first (also called proximal) and second (intermediate) phalanges -- the "distal interphalangeal joints" (DIJ), those between the second and third (distal) phalanges.	a synovial hinge joint; these joints are strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments
metacarpophalangeal joint see image	the metacarpophalangeal joints are formed by the reception of the rounded heads of the metacarpal bones into shallow cavities on the proximal ends of the first phalanges, with the exception of that of the thumb, which presents more of the characters of a ginglymoid joint.	a synovial condyloid (or ellipsoid) joint; it is strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments; the joint has two planes of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined to yield circumduction
midcarpal joint see image	The Midcarpal Joint is formed by the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetral bones in the proximal row, and the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate bones in distal row. The distal pole of the scaphoid articulates with two trapezial bones as a gliding type of joint. The proximal end of the scaphoid combines with the lunate and triquetrum to form a deep concavity that articulates with the convexity of the combined capitate and hamate in a form of diarthrodial, almost condyloid joint.	a series of synovial plane joints; small ranges of motion are permitted between carpal bones which take on an additive effect because there are several articulations in a proximodistal row (wrist, midcarpal and carpometacarpal joints); the midcarpal and intercarpal joints are reinforced by numerous ligaments
oblique cord see image	the oblique cord is a ligament between the two ulnar and radius bones in the lower arm near its elbow. It takes the form of a small, flattened band, extending downward and lateralward, from the lateral side of the ulnar tuberosity at the base of the coronoid process to the radius a little below the radial tuberosity. Its fibers run in the opposite direction to those of the Interosseous membrane of the forearm.	it connects the proximal end of the shaft of the radius to the proximal end of the shaft of the ulna
radial collateral ligament, elbow see image	a ligament that spans the lateral side of the elbow joint.	it connects the lateral epicondyle of the humerus with the radius and the annular ligament; it reinforces the lateral side of the elbow articular capsule; it is smaller and less distinct than the ulnar collateral ligament
radial collateral ligament, wrist see image	it extends from the tip of the styloid process of the radius and attaches to the radial side of the scaphoid (formerly Navicular bone of the hand), immediately adjacent to its proximal articular surface and some fibres extend to the lateral side of the trapezium (greater multangular bone).	it reinforces the articular capsule on the lateral side of the wrist
radiocarpal (wrist) joint see image	In human anatomy, the wrist is variously defined as 1) the carpus or carpal bones, the complex of eight bones forming the proximal skeletal segment of the hand; (2) the wrist joint or radiocarpal joint, the joint between the radius and the carpus; and (3) the anatomical region surrounding the carpus including the distal parts of the bones of the forearm and the proximal parts of the metacarpus or five metacarpal bones and the series of joints between these bones, thus referred to as wrist joints. This region also includes the carpal tunnel, the anatomical snuff box, the flexor retinaculum, and the extensor retinaculum.	characterized by an intracapsular articular disk; radius articulates with the proximal row of carpals
radioulnar joint, distal see image	the articulation between the head of the ulna and the ulnar notch of the radius.	a synovial pivot joint; this joint has a fibrocartilaginous articular disk that attaches to the styloid process of the ulna and the medial side of the distal radius
radioulnar joint, intermediate	the articulation formed by the interosseous membrane	a syndesmosis; it connects the interosseous border of the ulna to the interosseous border of the radius; proximally directed forces from the hand pass through the radius and are transferred to the ulna through the interosseous membrane
radioulnar joint, proximal see image	a trochoid or pivot joint between the circumference of the head of the radius and the ring formed by the radial notch of the ulna and the annular ligament	a synovial pivot joint; it is the articulation between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna which is completed by the annular ligament
shoulder joint see image	this involves the articulation between the glenoid fossa of the scapula (shoulder blade) and the head of the humerus (upper arm bone).	a synovial ball and socket joint; the glenoid labrum deepens the socket; glenohumeral ligaments reinforce the joint capsule anteriorly; the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii m. passes through the shoulder joint cavity; the shoulder joint is supported by the muscles of the rotator cuff group (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis); also known as the glenohumeral joint; it is frequently dislocated
sternoclavicular joint see image	the joint what connects the clavicle with the sternum.	a synovial joint; its joint capsule is subdivided by a fibrous articular disc; it is strengthened by the sternoclavicular, interclavicular and costoclavicular ligaments; the sternoclavicular joint has the range of movement, but not the form, of a ball and socket joint
sternoclavicular ligament see image	a ligament that reinforces the capsule of the sternoclavicular joint.	the sternoclavicular ligament has two parts: anterior and posterior; it is a very strong ligament; the combined effect of this ligament, the costoclavicular ligament and the interclavicular ligament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular joint that seldom dislocates
transverse humeral ligament see image	this is a broad band passing from the lesser to the greater tubercle of the humerus, and always limited to that portion of the bone which lies above the epiphysial line; it converts the intertubercular groove into a canal.	it connects the greater tubercle of the humerus to the lesser tubercle of the humerus and acts to retain the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii m. in the intertubercular sulcus
transverse metacarpal ligament, deep see image	this is a narrow fibrous band which runs across the palmar surfaces of the heads of the second, third, fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, connecting them together. It is blended with the palmar metacarpophalangeal ligaments. Its palmar surface is concave where the flexor tendons pass over it; behind it the tendons of the interosseous muscles of the hand pass to their insertions.	limited motion is permitted between the distal ends of adjacent metacarpal bones due to the presence of the deep transverse metacarpal ligaments; the metacarpal bones are bound together to form a solid foundation for finger movements
transverse scapular ligament, superior see image	a ligament that converts the scapular notch into a foramen or opening. It is a thin and flat fasciculus, narrower at the middle than at the extremities, attached by one end to the base of the coracoid process, and by the other to the medial end of the scapular notch.	it converts the suprascapular notch into a foramen; the suprascapular a. passes superior to the ligament and the suprascapular n. passes inferior to the ligament (Army over the bridge, Navy under the bridge)
ulnar collateral ligament, elbow see image	a strong ligament spanning the medial side of the elbow joint.	it connects the medial epicondyle of the humerus with the ulna; it reinforces the medial side of the elbow articular capsule; This ligament is in relation with the Triceps brachii and Flexor carpi ulnaris and the ulnar nerve, and gives origin to part of the Flexor digitorum superficialis.
ulnar collateral ligament, wrist see image	it connects the styloid process of the ulna to the pisiform and triquetrum.	it reinforces the articular capsule on the medial side of the wrist
wrist joint see image	the articulation between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones; In human anatomy, the wrist is variously defined as 1) the carpus or carpal bones, the complex of eight bones forming the proximal skeletal segment of the hand; (2) the wrist joint or radiocarpal joint, the joint between the radius and the carpus; and (3) the anatomical region surrounding the carpus including the distal parts of the bones of the forearm and the proximal parts of the metacarpus or five metacarpal bones and the series of joints between these bones, thus referred to as wrist joints. This region also includes the carpal tunnel, the anatomical snuff box, the flexor retinaculum, and the extensor retinaculum.	a synovial ellipsoid joint; two primary degrees of motion are permitted: abduction/adduction and flexion/extension - these motions are combined to produce circumduction; the radius actually articulates with the articular disk which in turn articulates with the proximal row of carpal bones (scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum)

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