Lunotriquetral ligament
The lunotriquetral ligament joins the lunate and triquetrum of the carpals.
Gross anatomy
It arises from the volar aspect of the distal lunate and triangular fibrocartilage to distally attach to the medial margin of the hamate. With the ulnolunate ligament if is part of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.
Similar to the scapholunate ligament, it has 3 portions – volar, proximal and dorsal bands.
Dorsal component
- less flexible than the scapholunate ligament
- limits the amount of dorsiflexion between the lunate and triquetrum
Volar component
- important component contributing to carpal stability
- limits triquetral extension
- thickest portion (2.3mm)
- linear in shape
- runs parallel to the space between the lunate and triquetrum
- some fibers are joined by the volar ulnolunate ligament
Proximal component
- triangular in shape with the apex directed distally
- some fibers are joined by the superficial fibers of the volar radiolunate ligament
Related pathology
Complete tears of the volar band of the lunotriquetral ligament leads to volar intercalated segmental instability (VISI) .
