Radial collateral ligament of elbow joint

The radial collateral ligament (RCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), or external lateral ligament[Explain 1] is a ligament in the elbow on the side of the radius.

Radial collateral ligament
Left elbow joint, showing posterior and radial collateral ligaments. (Radial collateral ligament visible near center.)
Details
Fromlateral epicondyle
Toannular ligament
Identifiers
Latinligamentum collaterale radiale
TAA03.5.09.006
FMA38866
Anatomical terminology
MRI of the elbow (T1 weighted) showing an unimpaired radial collateral ligament and extensor tendon.

Structure

The composition of the triangular ligamentous structure on the lateral side of the elbow varies widely between individuals[1] and can be considered either a single ligament,[2] in which case multiple distal attachments are generally mentioned and the annular ligament is described separately, or as several separate ligaments,[1] in which case parts of those ligaments are often described as indistinguishable from each other.

In the latter case, the ligaments are collectively referred to as the lateral collateral ligament complex (LCLC), consisting of four ligaments:[1]

  • the radial collateral ligament [proper] (RCL), from the lateral epicondyle to the annular ligament deep to the common extensor tendon[1]
  • the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL), from the lateral epicondyle[3] to the supinator crest on the ulna. Near the attachment on the humerus this ligament is normally indistinguishable from the RCL and can be considered the posterior portion of it.[1] Martin 1958 described the distal part of the LUCL as "a definite bundle which normally crosses the annular band and gains attachment to the supinator crest, frequently to a special tubercle on that crest" but didn't name it.[4]
  • the annular ligament (AL), from the posterior to the anterior margins of radial notch on the ulna, encircles the head of radius and holds it against the radial notch of ulna.[5]
  • the accessory lateral collateral ligament (ALCL). from the inferior margin of the annular ligament to the supinator crest.

Additional images

Explanations

  1. As opposed to the "internal lateral ligament" better known as the medial or ulnar collateral ligament

Notes

  1. Carrino et al. 2001, Discussion, see also Figure 4
  2. Palastanga & Soames 2012, Radial collateral ligament, p.133
  3. "The Elbow Joint". TeachMeAnatomy. 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
  4. de Haan et al. 2011, Results
  5. "Radio-Ulnar Joints". Earth's Lab. Retrieved 2017-11-18.

References

Carrino JA, Morrison WB, Zou KH, Steffen RT, Snearly WN, Murray PM (January 2001). "Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow: Optimization of Evaluation with Two-dimensional MR Imaging". Radiology. 218 (1): 118–25. doi:10.1148/radiology.218.1.r01ja52118. PMID 11152789.
de Haan J, Schep NW, Eygendaal D, Kleinrensink GJ, Tuinebreijer WE, den Hartog D (2011). "Stability of the Elbow Joint: Relevant Anatomy and Clinical Implications of In Vitro Biomechanical Studies". The Open Orthopaedics Journal. 5: 168–76. doi:10.2174/1874325001105010168. PMC 3104563. PMID 21633722.
Martin, BF (July 1958). "The annular ligament of the superior radio-ulnar joint". J. Anat. 92 (Pt3): 473–82. PMC 1245018. PMID 13563324.
Palastanga, Nigel; Soames, Roger (2012). Anatomy and Human Movement: Structure and Function (6th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 9780702040535.
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