Anterior View of the Radioscaphocapitate Ligament of a Male

Description

Arcing across the volar wrist, the radioscaphocapitate ligament extends from the anterior margin of the distal radius near the radial styloid and courses distally and ulnarly to the palmar waist of the scaphoid before continuing toward the capitate. Deep to this band, the scapholunate interval lies between the scaphoid laterally and lunate medially, with the capitate seated distal to them as the central keystone of the distal carpal row. Surrounding carpal anatomy is presented in anatomical position from the palm side, including the trapezium and trapezoid radial to the capitate and the hamate ulnarly, with metacarpals and phalanges aligned distally. Palmar wrist stability depends on this specific extrinsic ligament. By tethering the scaphoid and guiding its motion during flexion and extension, the radioscaphocapitate ligament helps restrain pathologic scaphoid flexion and rotatory subluxation that can follow scapholunate ligament injury, a common precursor to dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI) and eventual SLAC wrist. Surgeons also respect its relationship to the volar radiocarpal capsule and radioscaphocapitate arcade during volar approaches for scaphoid nonunion fixation or selective wrist denervation. A key landmark. Use this illustration to support gross anatomy and orthopaedic teaching on the volar radiocarpal ligaments, carpal rows, and the biomechanics of scaphoid, lunate, and capitate alignment. It also suits hand surgery texts and patient education materials explaining scapholunate dissociation, DISI patterns, and reconstructive procedures that preserve volar extrinsic restraint. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.