The interosseous ligaments are of paramount importance in maintaining the biomechanical

relationship among the carpal bones, especially those of the proximal row. The scapholunate
(SL) and lunotriquetral (LT) ligaments are comparable in strength to the anterior cruciate ligament
of the knee. They connect the bones at the level of the proximal articular surface and consist of
thick dorsal and volar components with thinner membranous portions in between (Slide 1, Slide
2). Most commonly, perforations occur in the thin, membranous portions and may not be
mechanically significant.
On coronal MR images the SL ligament is triangular and can be seen to be peripherally attached
at the SL interval. The inner apex of the triangular-shaped ligament is not attached to bone and is
free within the scapholunate joint. The dorsal fibers of the SL ligament are oriented transversely,
or perpendicular to the joint, and form a thick bundle. The dorsal portion of the SL ligament is
considered to be the most important component in maintaining carpal stability. The membranous
SL ligament fibers course peripherally and obliquely from the scaphoid downward to the lunate,
and attach to both bone and articular cartilage. The dorsal and volar portions of the SL ligament,
however, attach directly to bone. The volar SL ligament fibers course obliquely between the volar
aspects of the lunate and scaphoid.
On MR images the LT ligament may appear more lax than the SL ligament. When compared to
the longer proximal portion of the SL ligament, the LT ligament does not extend as far distally into
the LT joint as the SL ligament does within the SL joint. The volar and dorsal portions of the LT
ligament attach directly to bone, whereas its midportion attaches to the hyaline articular cartilage
of the LT joint. The LT ligament is most commonly delta shaped or linear.