Describe the radiocarpal joint, including its articular surfaces, its general range of motion, and the direction of intra-articular movement

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ANS:
The radiocarpal joint is a condyloid synovial joint with two degrees of freedom (flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation). The proximal joint segment is formed by the distal end of the radius and the distal surface of the radioulnar disc. The distal joint segments are the scaphoid and lunate, which articulate with the lateral and medial facets of the distal radius, respectively, and the triquetrum, which articulates with the radioulnar disc. The three distal carpals are joined by intercarpal ligaments and are all covered with hyaline cartilage, forming one continuous convex surface. The capsule of the radiocarpal joint is fairly large, but strong. There are numerous ligaments that cross both the radiocarpal and the midcarpal joints.
The distal end of the radius is longer radially and posteriorly, resulting in an inclination of the joint surface ulnarly and volarly. Because the convex distal surface moves on the concave proximal one, there is a slide of surfaces in the opposite direction to the movement of the hand. Given the inclination of the radial surface, range of flexion and ulnar deviation are generally greater than extension and radial deviation.
General range of motion (ROM) for radiocarpal flexion ranges from 78 ° to 85 °, for extension 60 ° to 85 °, for radial deviation 15 ° to 21 °, and for ulnar deviation 38 ° to 45 °.