Morphological characteristics of the capsule and ligaments of carpometacarpal joint and its clinical significances

Objective: To provide morphological data of the carpometacarpal joint for the operation of reconstructing the thumb function.Methods:The carpometacarpal joints were dissected on 46 cadaveric arm specimens,and the capsule and the ligaments were observed macroanatomically and microanatomically. Results: The capsule was thicker in dorsal while thinner in anterior,and there were five ligaments surrounding the joint: anterior oblique ligament,posterior oblique ligament, dorsal-radial ligament, palm ligament and the inter-metacarpal ligament, of which the dorsal-radial ligament was the stroungest.Conclusion:Repairing or reconstructing the h'gaments of the carpometacarpal joint is important for thumb function.