The joints of the hand connect between its bones, allowing it to perform complex movements. There are five types of joints, connecting the different bone segments.
Description
The different groups of joints in the hand connect between the separate bone segments:
- The wrist joint connects between the radius and ulna, and the proximal carpal bones
- The carpal joints connect between the carpal bones
- The carpometacarpal joints connect between the distal carpal and the metacarpal bones
- The metacarpophalangeal joints connect between the metacarpal and proximal phalangeal bones
- The interphalangeal joints connect between the phalangeal bones.
Wrist joint
The wrist joint is a condyloid type of synovial joint. It is formed by the articulation between the distal end of the radius, an articulating disc over the distal end of the ulna, and the proximal row of carpal bones – scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum.
Structure
The wrist joint is enclosed by a joint capsule, which consists of:
- Fibrous layer – the external layer of the capsule
- Synovial membrane – the internal layer of the capsule
The ligaments reinforcing the wrist joint are:
- Palmar radiocarpal ligament – stretches from the radius to the two rows of carpal bones
- Dorsal radiocarpal ligament – follows the same path as the palmar