Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex: An Anatomical and Medical Illustration Study.

Authors

Hallie Tiburzi, Rowan University
Carlos A G Machado
Massimo S D'Antoni
R Shane Tubbs, Tulane University

Document Type

Article

Version Deposited

Published Version

Publication Date

1-25-2025

Publication Title

Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)

DOI

10.1002/ca.24261

Abstract

Recent advances in small-joint arthroscopy and cutting-edge magnetic resonance imaging systems have enabled orthopedic surgeons to perform more complex repairs of the wrist. Such repairs can include those of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) of the wrist that necessitates a reappraisal of its morphometry with special emphasis on the relationship between its articular disc (AD) and surrounding tissues. The TFCC AD is a fibrocartilaginous, biconcave structure located between the ulnar styloid process and the carpal bones of the wrist. We carefully dissected and measured the ADs of 58 wrists from 34 embalmed cadavers (20 females, 14 males) and fabricated three-dimensional biofidelic plastic models of them. Precise measurements of the ADs were taken that included length, width, and thickness at five standardized points. For the entire sample, the mean length and width of left ADs were 18.09 and 9.60 mm, respectively, while right ADs averaged 18.63 mm in length and 9.93 mm in width. Significant differences were found between male and female ADs on the right and left sides (p < 0.05). After the data were further analyzed and casts fabricated, a medical illustrator created novel anatomical illustrations to clarify structures that form the TFCC and help illuminate its complex anatomy. Our study provides valuable morphometric data of the AD and detailed novel medical illustrations of the entire TFCC, enhancing our understanding of its morphology for both educational and clinical applications.

Recommended Citation

Tiburzi, Hallie; Machado, Carlos A G; D'Antoni, Massimo S; and Tubbs, R Shane, "Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex: An Anatomical and Medical Illustration Study." (2025). Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research. 271.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/som_facpub/271

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Published Citation

Tiburzi H, Machado CAG, D'Antoni MS, Tubbs RS. Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex: An Anatomical and Medical Illustration Study. Clin Anat. 2025 Jan 25. doi: 10.1002/ca.24261. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39865454.