Anatomical Relations
The dorsal carpometacarpal ligaments are a series of fibrous bands that attach the bases of the metacarpal bones to the carpal bones on the dorsal aspect of the hand. The ligaments are arranged as follows:
—the second metacarpal has two ligaments attaching to the trapezium and trapezoid;
—the third metacarpal had two ligaments attaching to the trapezoid and capitate;
—the fourth metacarpal had two ligaments attaching to the capitate and hamate;
—the fifth metacarpal has a single ligament attaching to the hamate.
The first carpometacarpal joint also contains a dorsal carpometacarpal ligament which extends obliquely from the ulnar side of the base of the first metacarpal to the dorsal surface of the trapezium.
Function
The dorsal carpometacarpal ligaments stabilize the carpometacarpal joints and permit limited gliding movements of the joints produced by the long flexor and extensor muscles of the digits.
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Joint Ligament
Entheseal structures are widely located throughout the body and are represented by the interface between bone and several tissues including tendon, joint capsules and ligaments.
