Radial Collateral Ligament of the Thumb

Description

Illustration of the radial and lateral collateral ligaments

Anatomy of the Radial Collateral Ligament

Name

• Radial Collateral Ligament of the Thumb
• RCL of the Thumb
• Thumb Radial Collateral Ligament
• Thumb RCL
• Radial Collateral Ligament of the Thumb MCP Joint
• Radial Collateral Ligament of the First MCP Joint
• First MCP Radial Collateral Ligament
• Lateral Collateral Ligament of the Thumb
• Radial Thumb MCP Ligament
• Thumb MCP Radial Collateral Ligament

Anatomy

• Thick band 4-8 mm wide, 12-14 mm in length
• Travels from the dorsoradial aspect of the metacarpal head to the lateral tubercle of the proximal phalanx

Function

• One of the main stabilizers of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint
• Provides the support against ulnar loading at the joint
• Involved in pinch and depression

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Clinical Significance

• Injury to radial collateral ligament

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See Also

• Finger Pain Main
• Hand And Wrist Anatomy
• Physical Exam Hand

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