Joints of the Upper Limb <br />Joints of the Upper Limb <br />The sternoclavicular joint, the acromioclavicular joint, <br />and the shoulder joint are fully described on pages 362 <br />and 364. <br />Elbow Joint <br />Proximal Radioulnar Joint <br />■■ Articulation: Between the circumference of the head of <br />the radius and the anular ligament and the radial notch <br />on the ulna (Figs. 9.72 and 9.73) <br />■■ Type: Synovial pivot joint <br />■■ Capsule: The capsule encloses the joint and is continuous <br />with that of the elbow joint. <br />■■ Ligament: The anular ligament is attached to the anterior <br />and posterior margins of the radial notch on the <br />ulna and forms a collar around the head of the radius <br />(Fig. 9.73). It is continuous above with the capsule of the <br />elbow joint. It is not attached to the radius. <br />■■ Synovial membrane: This is continuous above with that <br />of the elbow joint. Below it is attached to the inferior <br />Distal Radioulnar Joint <br />■■ Articulation: Between the rounded head of the ulna and <br />the ulnar notch on the radius (Fig. 9.73) <br />■■ Type: Synovial pivot joint <br />■■ Capsule: The capsule encloses the joint but is deficient <br />superiorly. <br />■■ Ligaments: Weak anterior and posterior ligaments <br />strengthen the capsule. <br />■■ Articular disc: This is triangular and composed of fibrocartilage. <br />Wrist Joint (Radiocarpal Joint) <br />■■ Articulation: Between the distal end of the radius <br />and the articular disc above and the scaphoid, lunate, <br />and triquetral bones below (Figs. 9.73 and 9.74). The <br />proximal articular surface forms an ellipsoid concave <br />surface, which is adapted to the distal ellipsoid convex <br />surface. <br />■■ Type: Synovial ellipsoid joint <br />■■ Capsule: The capsule encloses the joint and is attached <br />above to the distal ends of the radius and ulna and below <br />to the proximal row of carpal bones. <br />■■ Ligaments: Anterior and posterior ligaments <br />strengthen the capsule. The medial ligament is attached <br />to the styloid process of the ulna and to the triquetral <br />Joints of the Hand and Fingers <br />Intercarpal Joints <br />■■ Articulation: Between the individual bones of the proximal <br />row of the carpus; between the individual bones of <br />the distal row of the carpus; and finally, the midcarpal <br />joint, between the proximal and distal rows of carpal <br />bones (Figs. 9.73 and 9.74) <br />■■ Type: Synovial plane joints <br />■■ Capsule: The capsule surrounds each joint. <br />■■ Ligaments: The bones are united by strong anterior, <br />Carpometacarpal and Intermetacarpal Joints <br />The carpometacarpal and intermetacarpal joints are <br />synovial plane joints possessing anterior, posterior, and <br />interosseous ligaments. They have a common joint cavity. <br />Metacarpophalangeal Joints <br />■■ Articulation: Between the heads of the metacarpal bones <br />and the bases of the proximal phalanges (Fig. 9.73) <br />■■ Type: Synovial condyloid joints <br />■■ Capsule: The capsule surrounds the joint. <br />■■ Ligaments: The palmar ligaments are strong and <br />Interphalangeal Joints <br />Interphalangeal joints are synovial hinge joints that have a <br />structure similar to that of the metacarpophalangeal joints
