Limit properties of monotone matrix functions

The basic objects in this paper are monotonically nondecreasing $n\times n$ matrix functions $D(·)$ defined on some open interval $?=(a\text{,}b)$ of $\mathbb{R}$ and their limit values $D(a)$ and $D(b)$ at the endpoints a and b which are, in general, selfadjoint relations in ${\mathbb{C}}^n$. Certain space decompositions induced by the matrix function $D(·)$ are made explicit by means of the limit values $D(a)$ and $D(b)$. They are a consequence of operator inequalities involving these limit values and the notion of strictness (or definiteness) of monotonically nondecreasing matrix functions. This treatment provides a geometric approach to the square-integrability of solutions of definite canonical systems of differential equations.