The carpal articular disc has been studied in serial sectioned embryonal and fetal hands. It can be concluded that the articular disc is an extensive fibrous system that comes from the ulnar edge of the distal end of the radius and reaches, bordered by the deep layer of the antebrachial fascia, the base of metacarpal V. In this course, insertions take place into the ulnar aspect of the head of the ulna, into the ulnar styloid process and into the ulnar carpals. Emphasis has been laid upon the fact that the sheath of the m. extensor carpi ulnaris tendon is part of the fibrous system of the disc. The positions of the dorsal tendons seen with respect to the fascial layers implicate a mutual shift during pronation and supination of the hand. The relations between the so-called ligamentum subcruentum and prestyloid recess have been established, the presence of cartilaginous primordia in the developing disc has been discussed. We come to the conclusion that the evidence for drawing a parallel between phylogenetic and human embryological phenomena is still insufficient. In this connection we have stressed the modus of development of the pisotriquetral joint space.
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