The radial collateral ligament (RCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), or external lateral ligamentAs opposed to the "internal lateral ligament", better known as the medial or ulnar collateral ligament is a ligament in the

elbow The elbow is the region between the arm and the forearm that surrounds the elbow joint. The elbow includes prominent landmarks such as the olecranon, the cubital fossa (also called the chelidon, or the elbow pit), and the lateral and the m ...

on the side of the

radius In classical geometry, a radius ( : radii) of a circle or sphere is any of the line segments from its center to its perimeter, and in more modern usage, it is also their length. The name comes from the latin ''radius'', meaning ray but also the ...

Structure

The composition of the triangular ligamentous structure on the lateral side of the elbow varies widely between individuals, see als
Figure 4
/ref> and can be considered either a single ligament, in which case multiple distal attachments are generally mentioned and the annular ligament is described separately, or as several separate ligaments, 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: * the radial collateral ligament roper(RCL), from the lateral epicondyle to the annular ligament deep to the

common extensor tendon The common extensor tendon is a tendon that attaches to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Structure The common extensor tendon serves as the upper attachment (in part) for the superficial muscles that are located on the posterior aspect o ...

* the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL), from the lateral epicondyle to the

supinator crest The ulna (''pl''. ulnae or ulnas) is a long bone found in the forearm that stretches from the elbow to the smallest finger, and when in anatomical position, is found on the medial side of the forearm. That is, the ulna is on the same side of t ...

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. 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. * 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. * the accessory lateral collateral ligament (ALCL), from the inferior margin of the annular ligament to the supinator crest.

Clinical significance

The radial collateral ligament may be involved in lateral epicondylitis.

Additional images

File:Elbow joint - deep dissection (anterior view, human cadaver).jpg, Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Anterior view. File:Slide2xzxzxz.JPG, Elbow joint. Deep dissection. Anterior view.

Explanations

References

Bibliography

* * * * {{Authority control Ligaments of the upper limb