A badminton player falls on an outstretched hand and develops ulnar-sided wrist pain with tenderness just distal to the ulnar styloid. MRI shows a tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Which joint does the central fibrocartilaginous component of the TFCC primarily stabilize, and what is its key contribution there?
- A Radiocarpal joint; suspends the lunate from the radius
- B Distal radio-ulnar joint; binds radius to ulna and cushions load transmission to the ulna ✓
- C Midcarpal joint; stabilizes the triquetrum against the hamate
- D First carpometacarpal joint; resists dorsal subluxation of the metacarpal base
Correct answer: B. Distal radio-ulnar joint; binds radius to ulna and cushions load transmission to the ulna
Explanation
The TFCC spans the ulnocarpal interval and includes the triangular articular disc whose apex attaches to the base of the ulnar styloid and whose base attaches to the radial sigmoid notch, together with the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments and the sheath of extensor carpi ulnaris. It is the main stabilizer of the distal radio-ulnar joint and transmits roughly one fifth of axial wrist load across the ulnar compartment. The scapholunate ligament stabilizes the radiocarpal interval instead.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.