Summary Joints and ligaments of the upper limb

Joints and Ligaments of the Upper Limb - Listed Alphabetically
Joint Description Significance
annular ligament syndesmosis surrounds radial head, holding it against ulna
synovial, saddle connects trapezium with metacarpal of thumb;
carpometacarpal joint, thumb
(concavoconvex) flexion/extension, abduction/adduction
connects distal carpal bones with metacarpals of
carpometacarpal joints, fingers synovial, plane
fingers; tightly bound by ligaments to limit motion
connects coracoid process with acromion; passes
coracoacromial ligament syndesmosis
superior to humeral head & supraspinatus tendon
connects upper surface of coracoid process to under
coracoclavicular ligament syndesmosis surface of clavicle; often subdivided into conoid
(posteromedial) & trapezoid ligaments
complex joint consisting of humeroulnar,
synovial; hinge
humeroradial and proximal radioulnar articulations;
elbow joint (gingylmus), gliding
strengthened primarily by radial & ulnar collateral
and pivot
ligaments
connects humerus to scapula; represents an
glenohumeral ligament,
capsular ligament anteroinferior thickening of the shoulder joint capsule;
inferior
weak support for joint
connects humerus to scapula; represents an
glenohumeral ligament, middle capsular ligament anterointermediate thickening of the shoulder joint
capsule; weak support for joint
connects humerus to scapula; represents an
glenohumeral ligament,
capsular ligament anterosuperior thickening of the shoulder joint
superior
capsule; weak support for joint
connects dorsal surfaces of adjacent carpal bones,
intercarpal ligaments, dorsal capsular ligaments
running primarily transversely
intercarpal ligaments, palmar capsular ligaments
interosseous membrane syndesmosis connects shafts/diaphyses of radius & ulna
connect proximal & middle phalanges (proximal
interphalangeal joint) and middle & distal phalanges
interphalangeal joints synovial, hinge
(distal interphalangeal joint); strengthened by
collateral ligaments
connects metacarpal head to base of proximal
phalanx; strengthened by collateral ligaments; heads
synovial, condyloid
metacarpophalangeal joints of metacarpals are firmly joined by transverse
or ellipsoid
metcarpal ligaments to provide a stable platform for
finger movements

, midcarpal joint synovial, gliding connects proximal & distal rows of carpal bones
connects radial shaft to ulnar shaft; passes obliquely
oblique cord syndesmosis lateral & distal from lateral surface of ulna to attach to
radius medially near radial tuberosity
radial collateral ligament,
capsular ligament connects lateral epicondyle of humerus with radius
elbow
connects styloid process of radius with scaphoid &
radial collateral ligament, wrist capsular ligament
trapezium
characterized by an intracapsular articular disk; radius
radiocarpal (wrist) joint synovial, ellipsoidal
articulates with the proximal row of carpals
connects radial head with ulna; annular ligament holds
radioulnar joint, proximal synovial, pivot
radial head against radial notch of ulna
interosseous membrane connects radius to ulna; forces
radioulnar joint, intermediate syndesmosis
transferred from radius to ulna
radioulnar joint, distal synovial, pivot characterized by an intracapsular articular disk
connects humerus & scapula; glenoid labrum deepens
synovial, ball & the socket, glenohumeral ligaments located anteriorly;
shoulder joint
socket tendon of long head of biceps passes through shoulder
joint, strengthened by the rotator cuff muscles
connects clavicle with sternum; described as separate
sternoclavicular ligament capsular ligament
anterior & posterior ligaments
connects clavicle with sternum; is subdivided by
fibrous articular disc, strengthened by sternoclavicular
sternoclavicular joint synovial
& interclavicular ligaments, very strong - clavicle
fractures before this joint disarticulates
connects clavicle with sternum; described as separate
sternoclavicular ligament capsular ligament
anterior & posterior ligaments
transverse metacarpal connects metacarpophalangeal joints 2-5 together on
syndesmosis
ligaments, deep their palmar surface
transverse scapular ligament, passes across scapular notch, converting it into a
syndesmosis
superior foramen containing suprascapular nerve
ulnar collateral ligament,
capsular ligament connects medial epicondyle of humerus with ulna
elbow
connects styloid process of ulna to pisiform &
ulnar collateral ligament, wrist capsular ligament
triquetrum
synovial, gliding, connects distal radius with proximal row of carpal
wrist joint
hinge bones