Collateral ligament of thumb
Collateral ligament of thumb is a crucial component of the human hand anatomy. It is responsible for the stability and mobility of the thumb, one of the most frequently used parts of the hand.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The collateral ligament of the thumb, also known as the ulnar collateral ligament, is located on the medial side of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP joint) of the thumb. It is composed of two parts: the proper collateral ligament and the accessory collateral ligament.
The proper collateral ligament is a strong, rounded cord that extends from the posterior tubercle of the metacarpal bone to the base of the proximal phalanx. The accessory collateral ligament, on the other hand, is a flat, quadrilateral band that extends from the volar plate to the base of the proximal phalanx.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the collateral ligament of the thumb is to provide stability to the thumb, particularly during pinching and gripping movements. It prevents excessive lateral movement of the thumb, thus protecting the MCP joint from potential injuries.
Injuries[edit | edit source]
Injuries to the collateral ligament of the thumb, commonly known as skier's thumb, are relatively common. They typically occur due to a sudden force that causes the thumb to bend away from the hand, such as during a fall or when the thumb is caught in a ski pole strap.
Treatment for collateral ligament injuries depends on the severity of the injury. Mild injuries can often be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), while severe injuries may require surgical intervention.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This anatomy article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
