Anatomical Relations
The dorsal and palmar radioulnar ligaments are formed by the thickened dorsal and palmar aspects of the triangular fibrocartilaginous complex. The triangular fibrocartilaginous complex is both a cartilaginous and ligamentous structure that suspends the distal radius and medial carpal bones from the distal part of the ulna. It is composed of the articular disc of the radioulnar joint, the ulnar collateral, dorsal and palmar radioulnar, ulnolunate, and ulnotriquetral ligaments, and the floor of the tendinous sheath of extensor carpi ulnaris (Standring, 2016).
Structure
The dorsal radioulnar ligament attaches to the dorsal aspect of the distal radius and to the base of the ulnar styloid process (Netter, 2011).
Function
The dorsal radioulnar ligament forms part of the triangular fibrocartilaginous complex, which stabilizes the ulnocarpal and radioulnar joints, facilitates movements at the wrist joint, and transmits load from the carpal bones to the ulna.
References
Netter, F. H. (2011) Atlas of Human Anatomy. Netter Basic Science Series: Saunders/Elsevier.
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series: Elsevier Limited.