Which ligament crosses the wrist in a transverse direction?

• A. Transverse Carpal Ligament
• B. Dorsal Ulnocarpal Ligament
• C. Proximal Radioulnar Joint
• D. Inferior Pubic Ligament

Answer: (A)

The key concept is recognizing a ligament that runs horizontally across the wrist. The Transverse Carpal Ligament, also called the flexor retinaculum, spans the palmar aspect of the wrist from the bony prominences on the ulnar side to those on the radial side. Its transverse orientation forms the roof of the carpal tunnel, securing the flexor tendons as they pass into the hand and protecting the median nerve within the tunnel.

Other structures don’t fit this description: the dorsal ulnocarpal ligament lies on the back of the wrist and does not form a wide transverse band across the carpus; the proximal radioulnar joint is a joint, not a ligament; and the inferior pubic ligament is located in the pelvis, not the wrist.