Anatomical Relations
The palmar ligament is located distally in the forearm. It is situated superficial to the tendon of palmaris longus and the flexor retinaculum. Laterally, it is attached to the anterior border of the radius and medially to the triquetrum and pisiform bones.
Related parts of the anatomy
Structure
The palmar carpal ligament is a thickening of the antebrachial fascia on the anterior aspect of the wrist. Posteriorly, the antebrachial fascia is thickened distally as the extensor retinaculum of the wrist. The palmar carpal ligament forms the roof of a small fibro-osseous tunnel called the ulnar (or Guyon’s) canal, along with the palmaris brevis muscle. The floor is formed by the transverse carpal, pisohamate, and pisometacarpal ligaments and the flexor digiti minimi muscle (Standring, 2016). The ulnar nerve and artery travels through this canal to reach the hand.
Function
The palmar carpal ligament functions to hold the tendons in place and prevent bowstringing of the tendons across the wrist joint.
List of Clinical Correlates
—Ulnar nerve entrapment
—Ulnar canal syndrome
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edition: Elsevier Limited.
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Palmar Carpal Ligament
Palmar and medial to the palmar carpal ligament is the carpal canal, a synovial structure in which the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, median artery, and nerve are located.
