Morphology of the triangular fibrocartilage complex of the Vietnamese adult: a cadaveric study

Clin Ter. 2023 Sep-Oct;174(5):420-425. doi: 10.7417/CT.2023.2459.

Abstract

Objective: This descriptive study aims to describe various anatomical morphological indicators of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) in Vietnamese adults.

Materials and methods: We analyzed 30 wrist joints from 15 fresh cadavers. To access the components of the TFCC, the wrist joints were dissected and measured, and anatomical morphological indices, inclu-ding length, width, thickness, origin, and insertion, were recorded.

Results: Nine of 30 articular discs had central tears. The average length of the articular disc was 10.05±2.26 mm, while the average width was 12.10±1.39 mm. The average thickness of the articular disk on the ulnar side was 1.56±0.42 mm, while the average thickness of the articular disk on the radial side was 2.63±1.04 mm. Most meniscus homologues (86.6%) were of the narrow opening type according to the Ishii classification, with a horizontal dimension of 6.98±2.05 mm, anteroposterior diameter of 8.94±2.46 mm, and thickness of 1.27±0.41 mm. The volar radioulnar ligament averaged 12.75±2.17 mm in length and 2.54±0.77 mm in width, while the dorsal radioulnar ligament ave-raged 12.82±2.63 mm in length and 2.37±0.65 mm in width. The ulnar collateral ligament averaged 13.59±2.79 mm in length, 3.75±0.80 mm in width, and 0.95±0.46 mm in thickness. The ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments had average lengths of 7.34±2.87 mm and 5.70±2.98 mm, widths of 3.93±1.55 mm and 4.87±1.06 mm, and thicknesses of 0.96±0.61 mm and 1.43±0.98 mm, respectively.

Conclusions: There are no differences in the shape or structure of the adult Vietnamese TFCC. No significant differences were noted in any TFCC component according to wrist side or gender.

Keywords: cadaveric study; morphology; triangular fibrocartilage complex.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cadaver
  • Humans
  • Southeast Asian People
  • Triangular Fibrocartilage* / anatomy & histology
  • Wrist
  • Wrist Joint / anatomy & histology