Anatomy Tables - Joints of the Upper Limb

Joints - Pectoral Girdle & Shoulder
Joint Description Significance
sternoclavicular joint
(N419,TG2-42A, TG2-42BC)		 the joint what connects the clavicle with the sternum a synovial joint; its joint capsule is subdivided by a fibrous articular disc; it is strengthened by the sternoclavicular, interclavicular and costoclavicular ligaments; the sternoclavicular joint has the range of movement, but not the form, of a ball and socket joint
acromioclavicular joint
(N423,TG2-42)		 the joint between the distal end of the clavicle and the acromion of the scapula a plane synovial joint; the shape of the articulation encourages the acromion to slide inferior to the clavicle during dislocation (shoulder separation) a condition that occurs when the coracoclavicular ligament is torn; a small articular disk occurs within this joint capsule
articular disc of sternoclavicular joint
(TG2-42BC)		 fibrocartilage serves as a shock absorber of forces transmitted along the clavicle from the upper limb and divides the SC joint into two compartments
coracoclavicular ligament
(N423,TG2-42)		 syndesmosis connects upper surface of coracoid process to under surface of clavicle; often subdivided into conoid (posteromedial) & trapezoid ligaments
coracoacromial ligament
(N423,TG2-42)		 syndesmosis connects coracoid process with acromion; passes superior to humeral head & supraspinatus tendon
transverse scapular ligament, superior
(TG2-42A)		 syndesmosis passes across scapular notch, converting it into a foramen containing suprascapular nerve
sternoclavicular ligament
(N419,TG2-42A)		 capsular ligament connects clavicle with sternum; described as separate anterior & posterior ligaments
glenohumeral ligament, inferior
(N423,TG2-42A,TG2-42BC)		 capsular ligament connects humerus to scapula; represents an anteroinferior thickening of the shoulder joint capsule
glenohumeral ligament, middle
(N423,TG2-42A,TG2-42BC)		 capsular ligament connects humerus to scapula; represents an anterointermediate thickening of the shoulder joint capsule
glenohumeral ligament, superior
(N423,TG2-42A,TG2-42BC)		 capsular ligament connects humerus to scapula; represents an anterosuperior thickening of the shoulder joint capsule
glenoid labrum
(N423,TG2-42A,TG2-42BC)		 fibrocartilage a part of the glenohumeral joint (Greek, glene = a shallow socket + eidos = appearence)
shoulder joint
(N423,TG2-42A,TG2-42BC)		 synovial, ball & socket, diarthrosis connects humerus & scapula; glenoid labrum deepens the socket, glenohumeral ligaments/bands add strength anteriorly; tendon of long head of biceps passes through shoulder joint
subscapular bursa
(N423,TG2-42A,TG2-42BC)		 extension of glenohumeral cavity protects the subscapular tendon where it passes inferior to the coracoid process and over the scapular neck
tendon of the long head of the biceps
(N423,TG2-42A,TG2-42BC)		 tendon enclosed by a synovial sheath moves back and forth in the intertubercular groove of the humerus
transverse humeral ligament
(N423,TG2-42A,TG2-42BC)		 syndesmosis passes from the lesser to greater tubercle and holds the tendon of the long head of the biceps in the intertubercular groove

Joints - Elbow & Wrist
Joint Description Significance
elbow joint
(N436,TG2-43A,TG2-43BC)		 synovial; hinge (gingylmus), gliding and pivot complex joint consisting of humeroulnar, humeroradial and proximal radioulnar articulations; strengthened primarily by radial & ulnar collateral ligaments
radial collateral ligament, elbow
(N438,TG2-43BC)		 lateral fanlike ligament extends from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and blends distally with the anular ligament of the radius
ulnar collateral ligament, elbow
(N438,TG2-43BC)		 anterior band - strong
posterior - fanlike, weak
oblique - slender, deepens the socket for the trochlea of the humerus		 extends from the medial epicondyle of the humerus to the coronoid process and olecranon of the ulna (Latin, ulna = elbow)
radioulnar joint, proximal
(N438,TG2-43BC)		 synovial, pivot connects radial head with ulna; anular ligament holds radial head against radial notch of ulna (Latin, ulna = elbow)
anular ligament
(N438,TG2-43BC)		 the ligament that encircles the head of the radius it forms 4/5 of a circle - the radial notch of the ulna forms the other 1/5; it attaches to the margins of the radial notch; it holds the head of the radius against the ulna and cups in distal to the head to provide restraint against distal dislocation of the radius (Latin, anulus = ring)
radioulnar joint, intermediate
(N439, TG2-21)		 syndesmosis interosseous membrane connects radius to ulna; forces transferred from radius to ulna
interosseous membrane, forearm
(N439,TG2-21)		 a fibrous membrane that connects the interosseous borders located on the shafts of the radius and the ulna a syndesmosis; its fibers are oriented obliquely downward from the radius toward the ulna; the interosseous membrane is the classic example of a syndesmosis; proximally directed forces from the hand pass through the radius and are transferred to the ulna through the interosseous membrane; marked proximally by the oblique cord
radioulnar joint, distal
(N454,N455,TG2-44A,TG2-44B)		 synovial, pivot characterized by an intracapsular articular disk (Latin, ulna = elbow)
radiocarpal (wrist) joint
(N454, N455,TG2-44A,TG2-44B)		 synovial, ellipsoidal characterized by an intracapsular articular disk; radius articulates with the proximal row of carpals
radial collateral ligament, wrist
(N454, N455,TG2-44A,TG2-44B)		 it connects the styloid process of the radius with the scaphoid and trapezium it reinforces the articular capsule on the lateral side of the wrist
ulnar collateral ligament, wrist
(N454, N455,TG2-44A, TG2-44B)		 it connects the styloid process of the ulna to the pisiform and triquetrum it reinforces the articular capsule on the medial side of the wrist (Latin, ulna = elbow)
distal radioulnar articulation
(TG2-44C)		 synovial, pivot the rounded head of the ulna articulates with the ulnar notch on the medial distal end of the radius
dorsal radiocarpal ligament
(N455, TG2-44)		 capsular ligament allows the hand to follow the radius during pronation of the forearm
palmar radiocarpal ligament
(N454,TG2-44)		 capsular ligament allows the hand to follow the radius during supination of the forearm

Joints - Hand
Joint Description Significance
midcarpal joint
(N455,TG2-44)		 synovial, ball & socket the joint between the proximal and distal rows of carpal bones; assists in flexion and extension at wrist
intermetacarpal articulation
(N455,TG2-44)		 synovial, plane the metacarpals articulate with each other at their bases
carpometacarpal articulation
(N455,TG2-44)		 synovial, saddle (thumb) the CMC joint of the thumb is located between the trapezium and the base of the 1st metacarpal and has a separate joint cavity
carpometacarpal joint, thumb
(N455,TG2-44)		 synovial, saddle (concavoconvex) connects trapezium with metacarpal of thumb; flexion/extension, abduction/adduction
carpometacarpal joints, fingers
(N455,TG2-44)		 synovial, plane connects distal carpal bones with metacarpals of fingers; tightly bound by ligaments to limit motion
metacarpophalangeal joints
(N458,TG2-45)		 synovial, condyloid or ellipsoid connects metacarpal head to base of proximal phalanx; strengthened by collateral ligaments; heads of metacarpals are firmly joined by transverse metcarpal ligaments to provide a stable platform for finger movements
transverse metacarpal ligament, deep
(N458,TG2-45)		 a ligament that connects the metacarpophalangeal joints 2-5 on their palmar surface limited motion is permitted between the distal ends of adjacent metacarpal bones due to the presence of the deep transverse metacarpal ligaments; the metacarpal bones are bound together to form a solid foundation for finger movements
interphalangeal joints
(N458,TG2-45)		 synovial, hinge connect proximal & middle phalanges (proximal interphalangeal joint) and middle & distal phalanges (distal interphalangeal joint); strengthened by collateral ligaments

Clinical Terms
Term Definition
separated shoulder the acromioclavicular joint is weak even though it's external (coracoclavicular) ligament is strong. The injury often occurs from a hard fall on the shoulder with the impact taken by the acromion or from a fall on the outstretched upper limb. The injury is severe if the AC and the coracoclavicular ligaments are torn. When the coracoclavicular ligament tears, the shoulder separates from the clavicle because of the weight of the upper limb. Rupture of this ligament also allows the fibrous capsule of the joint to also be torn so that the acromion can pass inferior to the acromial end of the clavicle. Disolocation of the AC joint makes the acromion more prominent, and the clavicle may move superior to this process.
pulled elbow transient subluxation (incomplete dislocation) of the head of the radius is called a "pulled elbow." Children are prone to this injury, as a parent may pull on a child's upper limb while the forearm is pronated causing tearing of the distal attachment of the anular ligament, where it is loosely attached to the neck of the radius. The radial head then moves distally, and the anular ligament may become pinched between the head of the radius and the capitulum of the humerus. The treatment is simple and involves supination of the forearm while the elbow is flexed, and the tear of the anular ligament will heal in a cast in 2 weeks. A.K.A. "nursemaid's elbow"
pitcher's elbow medial epicondylitis or even tearing of the ulnar collateral ligament due to repetitive stressful motions; also called golfer's elbow

The material presented in these tables is contained in the book:
MedCharts Anatomy by Thomas R. Gest & Jaye Schlesinger
Published by ILOC, Inc., New York
Copyright © 1995, unauthorized use prohibited.
 The excellent editorial assistance of
Dr. Pat Tank, UAMS
is gratefully acknowledged.