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The functional anatomy of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) was investigated in 20 fresh cadavers. Dynamic changes in the TFCC during rotation were also examined from both the proximal and distal aspects. In our analysis, the TFCC was separated into three components. The distal component was stable, functioning like a hammock to suspend the ulnar carpus. The proximal component was the fan-shaped triangular ligament, the true radioulnar ligament. This was found to originate from the fovea of the ulna in a vertical fashion and was easily twisted during rotation. The third component, the ulnar collateral ligament, also twisted during rotation. When analysed by coronal section, the internal portion of the TFCC was found to be loose, and probably serves as a cushion to absorb local deformities in the TFCC during rotation.

We studied degenerative changes in the cervical intervertebral discs of 497 asymptomatic subjects by MRI and evaluated disc degeneration by loss of signal intensity, posterior and anterior disc protrusion, narrowing of the disc space and foraminal stenosis. In each subject, five disc levels from C2-C3 to C6-C7 were evaluated. The frequency of all degenerative findings increased linearly with age. Disc degeneration was the most common observation, being present in 17% of discs of men and 12% of those of women in their twenties, and 86% and 89% of discs of both men and women over 60 years of age. We found significant differences in frequency between genders for posterior disc protrusion and foraminal stenosis. The former, with demonstrable compression of the spinal cord, was observed in 7.6% of subjects, mostly over 50 years of age. Our results should be taken into account when interpreting the MRI findings in patients with symptomatic disorders of the cervical spine.

We studied degenerative changes in the cervical intervertebral discs of 497 asymptomatic subjects by MRI and evaluated disc degeneration by loss of signal intensity, posterior and anterior disc protrusion, narrowing of the disc space and foraminal stenosis. In each subject, five disc levels from C2-C3 to C6-C7 were evaluated.The frequency of all degenerative findings increased linearly with age. Disc degeneration was the most common observation, being present in 17% of discs of men and 12% of those of women in their twenties, and 86% and 89% of discs of both men and women over 60 years of age. We found significant differences in frequency between genders for posterior disc protrusion and foraminal stenosis. The former, with demonstrable compression of the spinal cord, was observed in 7.6% of subjects, mostly over 50 years of age.Our results should be taken into account when interpreting the MRI findings in patients with symptomatic disorders of the cervical spine.