Joints and Ligaments of the Upper Limb - Listed Alphabetically
|
| Joint or ligament |
Description |
Notes |
| acromioclavicular joint |
the joint between the distal end of the clavicle and the acromion of the
scapula |
a plane synovial joint; 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 |
the ligament that encircles the head of the radius |
it forms 4/5 of a circle - the radial notch of the ulna forms the other 1/5; it attaches to the margins of the radial notch; it holds the head of the radius against the ulna and cups in distal to the head to provide restraint against distal dislocation of the radius (Latin, anulus = a ring) |
| carpometacarpal joint, finger |
the articulation between the distal carpal bones and the proximal
ends of the metacarpal bones of the hand |
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 |
the articulation between the trapezium and the proximal end of the metacarpal
bone of the thumb |
a synovial saddle (sellar) joint; this articulation permits two planes
of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined
to produce circumduction |
| coracoacromial ligament |
the ligament that connects the coracoid process to the acromion of the scapula |
it passes superior to both the head of the humerus and the supraspinatus tendon; it provides support for the head of the humerus that prevents superior dislocation (Greak, akron = tip) |
| coracoclavicular joint |
the joint between the coracoid process of the scapula and the inferior surface
of the lateral portion of the clavicle |
a syndesmosis; this joint provides stability to the acromioclavicular joint |
| coracoclavicular ligament |
the ligament that connects the upper surface of the coracoid process to
the under surface of the clavicle |
it has two parts: conoid ligament (posteromedial part) and 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 |
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 |
the joint between the distal humerus and the proximal radius and ulna |
a synovial hinge joint; the elbow joint is a complex joint consisting of
humeroradial, humeroulnar and proximal radioulnar articulations all within
a common articular capsule; it is strengthened by the ulnar and radial collateral
ligaments |
| glenohumeral ligament, inferior |
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 |
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 |
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 |
a series of short ligaments that connect adjacent carpal bones on their
dorsal aspects |
intercarpal ligaments reinforce the articular capsule of the intercarpal
joints; they prevent excessive movement of these synovial plane joints |
| intercarpal ligaments, palmar |
a series of short ligaments that connect adjacent carpal bones on their
ventral aspects |
intercarpal ligaments reinforce the articular capsule of the intercarpal
joints; they prevent excessive movement of these synovial plane joints
|
| interclavicular ligament |
a ligament that reinforces the capsule of the sternoclavicular joint |
it spans the superior surface of the sternoclavicular joint and manubrium
of the sternum; the combined effect of this ligament, the sternoclavicular
ligament and the costoclavicular ligament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular
joint that seldom dislocates |
| intermetacarpal joint |
the articulation between the adjacent sides of the proximal ends of metacarpal
bones 2-5 |
a synovial plane joint; limited motion is possible between at the carpometacarpal
joints or between adjacent metacarpal bones |
| interosseous membrane, forearm |
a fibrous membrane that connects the interosseous borders located on the
shafts of the radius and the ulna |
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 |
the articulations between the proximal and middle phalanges (proximal interphalangeal
joint, abbreviated PIP) or the middle and distal phalanges (distal interphalangeal
joint, abbreviated DIP) |
a synovial hinge joint; these joints are strengthened by medial and lateral
collateral ligaments |
| metacarpophalangeal joint |
the articulation between the head of a metacarpal and the base of a proximal
phalanx |
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 |
the joint which connects the proximal and distal rows of carpal bones |
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 |
a thickening of connective tissue fibers at the proximal end of the interosseous
membrane |
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 |
a ligament spanning 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 |
it connects the styloid process of the radius with the scaphoid and trapezium |
it reinforces the articular capsule on the lateral side of the wrist |
| radiocarpal (wrist) joint | synovial, ellipsoidal | characterized by an intracapsular articular disk; radius articulates with the proximal row of carpals |
| radioulnar joint, distal |
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 |
the proximal articulation between the radius and ulna that is contained
within the capsule of the elbow joint |
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 |
the articulation between the head of the humerus and the glenoid fossa of
the scapula |
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 |
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 |
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 |
the ligament that spans the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus |
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 |
a ligament that connects the metacarpophalangeal joints 2-5 on their palmar
surface |
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 |
a ligament that spans the suprascapular notch of the scapula |
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 |
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 (Latin, ulna = elbow) |
| ulnar collateral ligament, wrist |
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 (Latin, ulna = elbow) |
| wrist joint |
the articulation between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row
of carpal bones |
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) |
Joints and Ligaments of the Lower Limb - Listed Alphabetically
|
| Joint or ligament |
Description |
Notes |
| acetabular labrum |
a fibrocartilage rim around the acetabulum |
the acetabular labrum deepens the acetabulum; it cups around the head of the femur and holds it firmly in the acetabulum (Latin, acetabulum = a shallow vessel or cup) |
| ankle joint |
the articulation between the distal tibia, the medial malleolus of the tibia,
the lateral malleolus of the fibula and the talus |
a synovial hinge joint; the ankle is reinforced by the deltoid ligament
(anterior tibiotalar, tibionavicular, tibiocalcaneal, posterior tibiotalar
parts), the anterior talofibular lig., the calcaneofibular lig. and the posterior
talofibular lig.; because of the shape of the talus, the ankle is most stable
when the foot is dorsiflexed; the ankle is often injured when the foot is plantar
flexed |
| anterior cruciate ligament |
a ligament connecting the anterior aspect of the intercondylar eminence
of the tibia with the medial surface of the lateral femoral condyle |
an intracapsular ligament located within the fibrous joint capsule of the knee but external to the synovial cavity of the knee; the anterior cruciate ligament limits the anterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur in all positions of joint movement; clipping-type injuries tear the anterior cruciate ligament because the leg is forced anteriorly relative to the femur which places great stress on the anterior cruciate ligament (Latin, crus = leg) |
| anterior talofibular ligament |
a ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the anterolateral
surface of the talus |
it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint |
| anterior tibiofibular ligament |
the ligament that connects the distal ends of the tibia and the fibula anteriorly |
this ligament reinforces the tibiofibular syndesmosis (at the distal ends
of these bones) |
| anterior tibiotalar ligament |
part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia
with the talus |
it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint |
| calcaneofibular ligament |
a ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the calcaneus |
it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint |
| deltoid ligament |
the ligament that connects the medial malleolus of the tibia with the talus,
navicular and calcaneus |
the deltoid ligament reinforces the ankle joint; it has the shape of the
Greek letter delta, hence its name; it has four parts (from anterior to posterior):
anterior tibiotalar lig., tibionavicular lig., tibiocalcaneal lig., posterior
tibiotalar lig. |
| fibular collateral ligament |
the collateral ligament of the knee that connects the lateral epicondyle
of the femur with the head of the fibula |
an extracapsular ligament, not part of the fibrous capsule of the knee;
the fibular collateral ligament passes superficial to the tendon of origin
of the popliteus m. |
| hip joint |
the articulation between the os coxae and the head of the femur |
a synovial ball and socket joint; it is reinforced by capsular ligaments
(iliofemoral, pubofemoral, ischiofemoral, zona orbicularis); the fibers of
the articular capsule become taut on hip extension and lax on hip flexion;
dislocation injuries of the hip are most common when the hip is flexed (sitting
in a car seat during an impact that causes the knees to strike the dash board,
for example) |
| iliofemoral ligament |
the ligament reinforcing the anterior surface of the articular capsule of
the hip joint |
the iliofemoral ligament is shaped like an inverted "Y"; it connects
the anterior inferior iliac spine to the anterior surface of the intertrochanteric
line of the femur; also known as: ligament of Bigelow |
| infrapatellar bursa, deep |
the bursa lying between the patellar ligament and the tibia |
synovial membrane, the deep infrapatellar bursa reduces friction between
the patellar ligament and the tibia |
| infrapatellar bursa, superficial |
a subcutaneous bursa overlying the patellar ligament |
synovial membrane |
| interosseous ligaments of the foot |
ligaments that reinforce intertarsal (gliding) synovial joints |
they connect adjacent tarsal bones; they are named for the two bones that they connect and whether they are located on the dorsal or plantar surface of those bones (Latin, inter = between + os = bone) |
| interosseous membrane of the leg |
the membrane that connects the interosseous borders of the shafts of the
tibia and fibula |
a syndesmosis (Latin, inter = between + os = bone) |
| interphalangeal joints |
the articulations between the proximal and middle phalanges (proximal interphalangeal
joint, abbreviated PIP) or the middle and distal phalanges (distal interphalangeal
joint, abbreviated DIP) |
a synovial hinge joint; these joints are strengthened by medial and lateral
collateral ligaments |
| ischiofemoral ligament |
the ligament reinforcing the posterior surface of the articular capsule
of the hip joint |
the ischiofemoral ligament connects the body of the ischium to the posterior portion of the femoral neck (Latin/Greek, ischion = hip joint) |
| knee joint |
the articulation between the femoral condyles and the tibial condyles |
a synovial hinge joint; it is reinforced by intracapsular ligaments (anterior
& posterior cruciate ligaments) and two types of collateral ligaments (capsular
- tibial collateral ligament, and extracapsular - fibular collateral ligament);
the medial and lateral menisci are contained within the joint capsule |
| lateral meniscus |
an intra-articular disc within the knee joint located between the lateral
femoral condyle and the lateral tibial condyle |
fibrocartilage; it is attached to the coronary ligament and the intercondylar
eminence of the tibia |
| ligament of the head of the femur |
an intracapsular ligament that attaches to the fovea of the head of the
femur and to the acetabular fossa |
the ligament of the head of the femur contains a small artery (the a. of
the ligament of the head of the femur) which supplies the femoral head; in
fractures of the neck of the femur the retinacular aa. that course along the
neck may be damaged, so that the artery to the head may be the only blood supply
to the head and proximal neck |
| long plantar ligament |
a ligament that connects the plantar surface of the calcaneus, cuboid and
the bases of the lateral 3 metatarsal bones |
a ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal (gliding) synovial
joints; the long plantar ligament supports the longitudinal arch of the foot |
| longitudinal arch of the foot |
the arch that passes from the calcaneus to the talus to the navicular to
the cuneiforms to the metatarsal |
a series of plane synovial joints; the longitudinal arch of the foot is
formed by the shapes of the metatarsal bones and is supported by the plantar
calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament and many other small interosseous ligaments;
the tendons of the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior mm. also play a
supporting role in maintaining the longitudinal arch of the foot |
| medial meniscus |
an intra-articular disc within the knee joint located between the medial
femoral condyle and the medial tibial condyle |
fibrocartilage; it is attached to the tibial collateral ligament, coronary
ligament and intercondylar eminence of the tibia; its attachment fo the tibial
collateral ligament results in injury to the medial meniscus whenever the medial
collateral ligament is injured |
| metatarsophalangeal joint |
the articulation between the head of a metatarsal and the base of a proximal
phalanx |
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 |
| patellar ligament |
the tendon of insertion of the quadriceps femoris muscle |
the quadriceps femoris tendon connects the quadriceps femoris muscle group
to the patella and the patellar ligament connects the patella to the tibial
tuberosity; the patella is a sesamoid bone within the quadriceps femoris tendon |
| plantar calcaneocuboid ligament |
a ligament that connects the calcaneus with the cuboid on their plantar
surfaces |
a ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal (gliding) synovial
joints; it supports the longitudinal arch of the foot; also known as: short
plantar ligament |
| plantar calcaneonavicular ligament |
a ligament that connects the sustentaculum tali with the plantar surface
of the navicular bone |
a ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal (gliding) synovial
joints; it supports the longitudinal arch of the foot; also known as: spring
ligament |
| posterior cruciate ligament |
a ligament connecting the posterior aspect of the intercondylar eminence
with the lateral surface of the medial femoral condyle |
an intracapsular ligament located within the fibrous joint capsule of the
knee but external to the synovial cavity of the knee; the posterior cruciate
ligament limits the posterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur in
all positions of joint movement |
| posterior meniscofemoral ligament |
an intracapsular ligament that connects the posterior part of the lateral
meniscus with the lateral surface of the medial femoral condyle |
may be absent |
| posterior talofibular ligament |
a ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the posterolateral
surface of the talus |
it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint |
| posterior tibiofibular ligament |
the ligament that connects the distal ends of the tibia and the fibula posteriorly |
this ligament reinforces the tibiofibular syndesmosis (at the distal ends
of these bones) |
| posterior tibiotalar ligament |
part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia
with the talus posteriorly |
it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint |
| prepatellar bursa |
a subcutaneous bursa overlying the patella |
synovial membrane; inflammation of this bursa leads to the condition known
as "housemaid's knee" (prepatellar bursitis), so named because housemaids
at one time traumatized this bursa while scrubbing floors on their hands and
knees |
| pubofemoral ligament |
the ligament reinforcing the medial surface of the articular capsule of
the hip joint |
the pubofemoral ligament connects the pubic portion of the rim of the bony
acetabulum to the medial surface of the femoral neck |
| suprapatellar bursa |
the superior extension of the synovial membrane of the knee joint |
it passes deep to the quadriceps femoris tendon; the suprapatellar bursa
reduces friction between the quadriceps femoris tendon and the femur |
| tarsometatarsal joints |
the articulations between the distal row of tarsal bones and the proximal
ends of the metatarsal bones |
gliding synovial joints; they are reinforced by dorsal and plantar ligaments
which limit the motion between adjacent bones |
| tibial collateral ligament |
the collateral ligament of the knee joint connecting the medial epicondyle
of the femur with the medial surface of the medial condyle of the tibia |
the tibial collateral ligament reinforces the medial surface of the articular
capsule of the knee; it is attached to the medial meniscus which has clinical
relevance - when the tibial collateral ligament tears in a clipping-type injury
(knee abduction), the medial meniscus also tears |
| tibiocalcaneal ligament |
part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia
with the sustentaculum tali |
it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint |
| tibionavicular ligament |
part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia
with the navicular |
it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint |
| transverse acetabular ligament |
the ligament that spans the acetabular notch near the rim of the acetabulum |
the acetabular branch of the obturator artery enters the hip joint by passing beneath the transverse acetabular ligament; the artery of the ligament of the head of the femur is a branch of the acetabular a. (Latin, acetabulum = a shallow vessel or cup) |
| transverse arch of the foot |
the arch that passes through the distal row of tarsal bones |
a series of plane synovial joints; the transverse arch of the foot is supported
by the shape of the tarsal bones, many small interosseous ligaments and the
tendons of the fibularis longus m., tibialis anterior m. and tibialis posterior
m. |
| zona orbicularis |
circularly oriented ligamentous fibers that reinforce the capsule of the
hip joint |
the zona orbicularis fibers tend to constrict the fibrous joint capsule
around the neck of the femur, helping to hold the head of the femur in the
acetabulum |
