The Carpus. Flashcards
What is the carpus also known as?
As the carpal joint.
Where in the body is the carpal joint found?
Between the distal ends of the radius and ulna and 2 rows of bones.
What are the names of the 2 rows of bones that are found in the carpal joint?
The first row is the carpal bones.
The second row is the metacarpal bones.
How many bones are found in the carpal bones (1st row) of the carpus?
7.
How many bones are found in the metacarpal bones (2nd row) of the carpus?
5.
The carpal bones are connected to what bones?
To the radius and ulna at their proximal end and to the metacarpal bones at the their distal end.
The metacarpal bones are connected to what bones?
To the carpal bones at their proximal end and to the digits at their distal end.
How are the 7 bones that make up the carpal bones arranged?
Into 2 rows where the proximal row contains 3 bones and the distal row contains 4 bones.
What are the names of the 3 carpal bones that are found in the 1st row?
The radial carpal.
The ulnar carpal.
The accessory carpal.
What are the names of the 4 carpal bones that are found in the 1st row?
First carpal bone (1).
Second carpal bone (2).
Third carpal bone (3).
Fourth carpal bone (4).
What kind of joint is the carpal joint?
A compound synovial hinge joint.
What are the 4 component articulations within the carpal joint?
The antibrachiocarpal joint.
The middle carpal joint.
The caropmetacarpal joint.
The inter-carpal joints.
The antibrachiocarpal joint within the carpus is formed by what bones?
By the articulation between the radius, ulna and proximal row of the carpal bones.
The middle carpal joint within the carpus is formed by what bones?
By the proximal and distal rows of the carpal bones.
The carpometacarpal joint within the carpus is formed by what bones?
By the distal row of carpal bones and the metacarpal bones.
What are the intercarpal joints within the carpus?
Minor component articulations and they are formed from joints between the carpal bones.
How many joint capsules cover the carpus?
A single joint capsule covers the carpus but, there are multiple joint cavities within the capsule.
How does the presence of multiple cavities within the joint cavity of the carpus affect the make up of the joint capsule?
The synovial layer has a different arrangement to the fibrous layer.
What part of the joint capsule is responsible for forming the 3 cavities within the capsule?
The synovial layer.
What are the 3 cavities within the joint capsule of the carpus known as?
The antibrachialcarpo joint cavity.
The middle carpal joint cavity.
The carpometacarpal cavity.
Can any of the 3 cavities within the joint capsule of the carpus communicate with each other?
The middle carpal cavity and the carpometacarpal cavity can communicate with each other.
Which cavity within the joint capsule of the carpus is isolated?
The antiobrachiocarapal cavity.
How do the middle carpal cavity and the carpometacarpal cavity of the carpus communicate with each other?
Through a gap between carpal bones 3 and 4.
Is the same synovial fluid present in middle carpal cavity and the carpometacarpal cavity of the carpus?
Yes.
How many injections must we give if we are to medicate the carpal joint?
2 injections, one into the antbrachiocarpal joint cavity and another into the middle joint cavity.
Where does the maximum amount of movement occur in the carpal joint?
In the antbrachiocarpal joint.
Where does the minimum amount of movement occur in the carpal joint?
The carpometacarpal joint.
This means we cannot inject into the carpometacarpal joint.
What movements can be performed by the carpal joint?
Because it is a hinge joint it means that the joint can only perform flexion and extension.
Are there any collateral ligaments associated with the carpus?
Yes.
What is the name of the 2 collateral ligaments within the carpus?
The medial collateral ligament.
The lateral collateral ligament.
What bone is the medial collateral ligament of the carpus associated with?
The radius.
What is the medial collateral ligament of the carpus also known as?
As the short radial ligament.
What bone is the lateral collateral ligament of the carpus associated with?
The ulna.
What is the lateral collateral ligament of the carpus also known as?
As the short ulnar ligament.
Where do the collateral ligaments of the carpus run from and to?
From the distal end of the radius or ulna to the proximal row of the carpal bones.
What are the inter-carpal ligaments that are associated with the carpus?
Ligaments that run between the carpal bones.
What are the accessorio-metacarpal ligaments of the carpus?
2 ligaments that run between the accessory carpal bone and metacarpal bones 4 and 5.
What is the function of the accessorio-metacarpal ligaments of the carpus?
They help to stabilise the accessory carpal bone when the joint is being flexed.
What is the palmar carpal fibrocartilage or palmar carpal ligament that is associated with the carpus?
A modification of the joint capsule which reduces friction from the flexor tendons as they pass over the its surface.
What holds the tendons in place as they pass over the palmar carpal fibrocartilage?
Flexor retinaculum.
What is the carpal canal of the carpus?
A small opening allowing for blood vessels and nerves to pass to the digits.
What covers the flexor tendons of the carpal joint?
A tendon sheaf.
What is the function of a tendon sheath?
It protects tendons from rubbing against a surface.
Where are the metacarpal/intermetacarpal joints found in the carpus?
Between the metacarpal bones.
What holds together the metacarpal bones of the carpus?
Fibrous connective tissue.
How can the metacarpal joints of the carpus be injected
By injecting the carpo-metacarpal joint.
