Ligaments of the metacarpals and phalanges: Palmar view (English)

The distal row of the palmar surface of carpal bones and metacarpal bones are bridged by the palmar carpometacarpal ligaments. The palmar carpometacarpal ligaments are comprised of a series of ligamentous bands. There are 2 bands associated with the 2nd metacarpal, one of which is connected to the trapezoid and one to the trapezium bone. The 4th metacarpal is connected to the capitate and the hamate, while the 5th metacarpal only has one band anchoring it to the hamate bone. In contrast, the 3rd metacarpal has three associated ligaments which anchor it to the trapezoid, capitate and hamate bones on the palmar surface of the hand.The four palmar metacarpal ligaments attach to the palmar surfaces of the bases of adjacent metacarpal bones, connecting the 5 metacarpal bones to each other. Located on the palmar aspect of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints are the palmar metacarpophalangeal ligaments, which are dense fibrocartilaginous thickenings of the metacarpophalangeal joint capsule. The anular ligaments of the phalanges form small hoops on the palmar surface of the digits, through which the tendons of flexor digitorum muscle pass. There are 2-3 annular ligaments associated with the phalanges of the thumb and 5 annular ligaments in each of the four fingers.The cruciform ligaments consist of two obliquely crossed bands and there are 3 sets associated with each digit. The annular and cruciform ligaments of the phalanges work together to prevent bowstringing of the flexor tendons.