title: Stability of the transverse carpal arch: an experimental study.
abstract: The mechanical characteristics of the transverse carpal arch were studied using fresh-frozen human cadaveric wrists. Tensile properties of the ligaments involved in this structure were also analyzed. The flexor retinaculum did not prove to be a major factor in the maintenance of the carpal arch since its division only reduced the global transverse carpal arch stiffness an average of 7.5%. On the contrary, the transverse intercarpal ligaments connecting the bones of the distal carpal row were shown to have an essential role in providing stability to the carpal tunnel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic/Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia-Elias
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Linscheid
authors.forename: E Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology