Lateral ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow
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View Joachim Feger's current disclosures- LUCL
- Lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL)
- Lateral ulnar collateral ligament - elbow
The lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) of the elbow is a primary stabilizer of the elbow joint to varus and external rotatory stress 1-6.
Gross anatomy
It is a part of the lateral (radial) collateral ligament complex and located at the posterolateral aspects of the elbow joint. It takes its course immediately posterior to the radial collateral ligament and further distally posterior to the radial head, where it blends with fibers of the annular ligament and runs further to the proximal ulna.
Function
The lateral ulnar collateral ligament functions as a static stabilizer of the elbow joint and as a primary restraint to varus force external rotatory stress 1-6.
Attachments
- humeral origin at the posteroinferior aspect of the lateral (radial) epicondyle just posterior to the origin of the radial collateral ligament
- distal (ulnar) insertion at the proximal part of the supinator crest in close relationship to the posterior attachment of the annular ligament
Related pathology
-
posterolateral rotatory instability (stage 1+)
- primary restraint 1-4
- lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction is considered as primary treatment for recurrent instability 4
- varus instability
References
- 1. O'Driscoll S, Bell D, Morrey B. Posterolateral Rotatory Instability of the Elbow. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1991;73(3):440-6. - Pubmed
- 2. O'Driscoll S. Classification and Evaluation of Recurrent Instability of the Elbow. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2000;370(370):34-43. doi:10.1097/00003086-200001000-00005 - Pubmed
- 3. O'Driscoll S. Elbow Instability. Acta Orthop Belg. 1999;65(4):404-15. - Pubmed
- 4. Camp C, Sanchez-Sotelo J, Shields M, O'Driscoll S. Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction for Posterolateral Rotatory Instability of the Elbow. Arthroscopy Techniques. 2017;6(4):e1101-5. doi:10.1016/j.eats.2017.03.029 - Pubmed
- 5. Tokunaga K, Sato K, Tajima G et al. Reinvestigation of the Morphological Characteristics of the Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament in Humans. Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn. 2017;93(4):147-52. doi:10.2535/ofaj.93.147 - Pubmed
- 6. Schaeffeler C, Waldt S, Woertler K. Traumatic Instability of the Elbow - Anatomy, Pathomechanisms and Presentation on Imaging. Eur Radiol. 2013;23(9):2582-93. doi:10.1007/s00330-013-2855-5 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
- Radial collateral ligament of the elbow
- Synovial folds of the elbow
- Medical abbreviations and acronyms (L)
- MRI of the elbow (an approach)
- Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow
- Lateral collateral ligament complex of the elbow
- Common extensor tendon injury
- Common extensor origin of the elbow
- Elbow instability
- Annular ligament of the elbow
- Terrible triad of the elbow
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skeleton of the upper limb
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accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
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