Radiocarpal joint

The wrist-joint is a condyloid articulation. The parts forming it are the lower end of the radius and under surface of the articular disk above; and the navicular, lunate, and triangular bones below. The articular surface of the radius and the under surface of the articular disk form together a transversely elliptical concave surface, the receiving cavity.The superior articular surfaces of the navicular, lunate, and triangular form a smooth convex surface, the condyle, which is received into the concavity. The joint is surrounded by a capsule, strengthened by the following ligaments:

• Dorsal radiocarpal ligament
• Palmar radiocarpal ligament
• Dorsal ulnocarpal ligament
• Palmar ulnocarpal ligament
• Ulnar collateral ligament of wrist joint
• Radial collateral ligament of wrist joint

The synovial membrane lines the deep surfaces of the ligaments above described, extending from the margin of the lower end of the radius and articular disk above to the margins of the articular surfaces of the carpal bones below. It is loose and lax, and presents numerous folds, especially behind.

The wrist-joint is covered in front by the Flexor, and behind by the Extensor tendons.

The arteries supplying the joint are the volar and dorsal carpal branches of the radial and ulnar, the volar and dorsal metacarpals, and some ascending branches from the deep volar arch.

The nerves are derived from the ulnar and dorsal interosseous.

Movements.—The movements permitted in this joint are flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction. They will be studied with those of the carpus, with which they are combined.