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# Ulnocarpal ligaments

The ulnocarpal ligaments run from the triangular fibrocartilage to the wrist bones; they support the little-finger side of the wrist.

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## What it is

Bands from the TFCC and ulna to the lunate and triquetrum.

## What it does

Support the little-finger side of the wrist together with the TFCC.

## Key points

- The ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments arise from the palmar radioulnar ligament of the TFCC rather than from the [ulna](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulna/) itself; the ulnocapitate arises from the ulnar fovea
- A split tear of the ulnotriquetral ligament gives ulnar wrist pain with a positive fovea sign but a stable DRUJ
- Tears of the TFCC at its distal, ulnocarpal attachment are class 1C in Palmer's scheme

## Key facts

**Attaches**
TFCC/ulna to lunate, triquetrum and capitate

**Function**
Support the ulnar side of the carpus

**Tight in**
Extension and radial deviation

## Relations

**Above**
[TFCC](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triangular-fibrocartilage-complex/) (palmar radioulnar ligament) and the ulnar head

**Below**
[Lunate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lunate/), [triquetrum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triquetrum/) and, for the ulnocapitate ligament, the [capitate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/capitate/)

**In front**
Ulnar side of the [carpal tunnel](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/carpal-tunnel/) floor with the [FDP tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-profundus-tendons/); more superficially the [ulnar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnar-nerve/), [ulnar artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnar-artery/) and [flexor carpi ulnaris](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-carpi-ulnaris/)

**Lateral**
Short radiolunate ligament, which they meet at the lunate

## How to find it

Not felt as separate bands. They lie on the palmar-ulnar side of the wrist, deep to flexor carpi ulnaris, running from the TFCC and ulnar fovea to the lunate, triquetrum and capitate; tenderness in the soft spot between the ulnar styloid and the [FCU tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-carpi-ulnaris-tendon/) is the clinical window. At arthroscopy they form the palmar-ulnar capsule just distal to the TFCC.

## Examination

- Fovea sign: tenderness in the soft spot between the ulnar styloid and flexor carpi ulnaris; with a stable DRUJ it points to the ulnotriquetral ligament, with an unstable one to a foveal TFCC detachment
- Ulnocarpal stress test: axial load in ulnar deviation while the forearm is rotated; pain suggests ulnocarpal ligament or TFCC injury, or ulnar impaction

## On imaging

MRI or MR arthrography in coronal and sagittal planes shows them as thin bands palmar to the TFCC; arthroscopy shows them from the radiocarpal joint.

## Clinical notes

- Ulnar-sided wrist pain after a twisting injury; examined together with the TFCC and ulnar impaction
- With the radioscaphocapitate ligament, the ulnocapitate ligament forms the distal V of the palmar wrist (arcuate ligament)
- Ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnar impaction pulls the ulnar head proximally, unloading the ulnar carpus and tensioning these ligaments, which also steadies the DRUJ

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Where do the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments arise?

From the palmar radioulnar ligament of the TFCC rather than the ulna itself; the ulnocapitate arises from the ulnar fovea.

## What does a positive fovea sign with a stable DRUJ suggest?

A split tear of the ulnotriquetral ligament, one of the ulnocarpal ligaments.

## Which Palmer class is a TFCC tear at its distal, ulnocarpal ligament attachment?

Class 1C.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
ligamentum ulnocarpeum palmare TA2 1795

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Ligamentos ulnocarpianos palmar y dorsal

**English (TA2)**
Ulnocarpal ligaments

## Related

- [TFCC](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triangular-fibrocartilage-complex/)
- [Capitate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/capitate/)
- [Lunate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lunate/)
- [Scaphoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scaphoid/)
- [Triquetrum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triquetrum/)
- [Ulna](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulna/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Radiocarpal Joint](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539744/); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Wrist Joint](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534779/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnocarpal-ligaments/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnocarpal-ligaments/