Representation of potential load-carrying structures involved in proximal carpal articulation as described by Weber and Chao. Four ligamentous components (cb, ed, ih, kj) potentially transmit tensile loads when wrist is in strong dorsiflexion. Dorsal ligamentous structures eliminated from analysis because in dorsiflexion structures would be lax. Articular surface between radius and scaphoid and between radius and lunate potentially transmit compressive forces Ff and Fg. These forces are related to fixed coordinate system (XYZ) and to vector representation of applied load (P). cb, Radiocollateral ligament complex; ed, radiocapitate ligament; Ff, radioscaphoid contact force; Fg, radiolunate contact force; ih, radiolunate ligament; kj, ulnar capsular ligament; XYZ, cartesian coordinate system.