Scapholunate ligament
Encyclopedia
The scapholunate ligament is a ligament
of the wrist
.
The scapholunate ligament is an intraarticular ligament binding the scaphoid
and lunate
bones of the wrist together. It is divided into three areas, dorsal
, proximal and palmar, with the dorsal segment being the strongest part. It is the main stabilizer
of the scaphoid. In contrast to the scapholunate ligament, the lunotriquetral ligament is more prominent on the palmar side.
of this ligament leads to wrist instability.dynamic in nature which typically cannot be seen on X-Ray
, or static which can be seen on X-Ray.
The Watson's test
may be used in diagnosis.
Ligament
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
of the wrist
Wrist
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;...
.
The scapholunate ligament is an intraarticular ligament binding the scaphoid
Scaphoid bone
The scaphoid bone is one of the carpal bones of the wrist. It is situated between the hand and forearm on the thumb-side of the wrist . The scaphoid bone is the largest bone of the proximal row of wrist bones, its long axis being from above downward, lateralward, and forward...
and lunate
Lunate bone
The lunate bone is a carpal bone in the human hand that may be distinguished by its deep concavity and crescentic outline. It is situated in the center of the proximal row of the carpus region between the fore arm and hand...
bones of the wrist together. It is divided into three areas, dorsal
Dorsum (anatomy)
In anatomy, the dorsum is the upper side of animals that typically run, fly, or swim in a horizontal position, and the back side of animals that walk upright. In vertebrates the dorsum contains the backbone. The term dorsal refers to anatomical structures that are either situated toward or grow...
, proximal and palmar, with the dorsal segment being the strongest part. It is the main stabilizer
Joint stability
Joint stability refers to the resistance offered by various musculoskeletal tissues that surround a skeletal joint. Several subsystems ensure the stability of a joint. These are the passive, active and neural subsystems. The opposite of stability is instability...
of the scaphoid. In contrast to the scapholunate ligament, the lunotriquetral ligament is more prominent on the palmar side.
Clinical significance
Complete ruptureSprain
A sprain is an injury in a joint, caused by the ligament being stretched beyond its capacity. A muscular tear caused in the same manner is referred to as a strain. In cases where either ligament or muscle tissue is torn, immobilization and surgical repair may be necessary...
of this ligament leads to wrist instability.
Radiology
Radiology is a medical specialty that employs the use of imaging to both diagnose and treat disease visualized within the human body. Radiologists use an array of imaging technologies to diagnose or treat diseases...
, or static which can be seen on X-Ray.
The Watson's test
Watson's test
Watson's test is a diagnostic test for instability between the scaphoid and lunate bones of the wrist.-Test procedure:To perform the test, the examiner grasps the wrist with their thumb over the patient's scaphoid tuberosity which is on the palmar side of the wrist...
may be used in diagnosis.