Scaphocapitate ligament

Last revised by Thomas Lausen on 27 Jul 2023

The scaphocapitate ligament is one of the palmar intrinsic midcarpal ligaments. It, along with the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid ligament, constitutes the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid ligament complex which stabilizes the triscaphe joint 1. It also forms the radial limb of the arcuate ligament of the wrist, with the truiquetrohamocapitate ligament as the ulnar limb 2.

The scaphocapitate ligament is attached proximally on the distal pole of the scaphoid and distally on the palmar cortex of the capitate 3. It runs obliquely and parallels the orientation of the radioscaphocapitate ligament 3.

The scaphocapitate ligament is between the distal pole of the scaphoid running to the palmar cortex of the capitate at around 60 degrees to the horizontal appearing as low signal bands, often with striations, on all MR sequences 2. It may be best evaluated using an oblique plane reconstruction along its long axis 2.

Even in the presence of a scaphotrapeziotrapezoid ligament injury, if the scaphocapitate ligament is intact, the intervals in the triscaphe joint may be normal 4.

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