ulnar collateral ligament

noun

plural ulnar collateral ligaments

1

: a triangular ligament of the inner side of the elbow that connects the medial parts of the humerus with the ulna, helps to stabilize the elbow joint, and is often injured in sports (such as baseball) which involve repeated overhand throwing

… the preseason Atlantic Sun pitcher of the year, will miss the rest of the season after suffering ulnar collateral ligament damage on the inside of his throwing elbow.

—Dana Caldwell

called also UCL

2

: a ligament of the wrist on the little finger side that connects the distal end of the ulna with bones in the wrist and helps to stabilize the wrist joint

Palpate to the end of the ulnar styloid, and notice the gap between it and the carpals. … With the wrist in radial deviation, the ulnar collateral ligament can be felt bridging this gap.

—Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders

called also UCL

3

: a ligament of the inner thumb that connects the two bones at the base of the thumb and helps to stabilize the thumb

… skier's thumb, an ulnar collateral ligament sprain or injury to the thumb usually resulting from a fall.

—Heidi Splete

called also UCL

Examples of ulnar collateral ligament in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That is asking a lot, especially of Ray, who had the flexor tendon and ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow repaired last May. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024

After a rocky two months to close out 2018, Glasnow fought through persistent arm problems to go 16-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 37 starts from 2019 to 2021, striking out 290 and walking 63 in 206 innings before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. —Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

In three seasons with the Angels before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, Warren appeared in 32 games out of the bullpen with a 3.55 ERA. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024

Bubic, 26, underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow last season. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2024

All too often, the overuse results in a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow, necessitating surgery to repair it. —Dana Santas, CNN, 28 Jan. 2024

The ulnar collateral ligament also needed to be repaired — Tommy John surgery. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024

Ohtani, who is a free agent, finished the season on the injured list, dealing with an oblique issue and having surgery to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament tear. —Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2023

Around the horn Three weeks after suffering a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, Orioles closer Félix Bautista played catch for a fifth time, throwing from about 120 feet. —Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 15 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

ulnar collateral ligament

noun

1

: a triangular ligament of the elbow that connects the medial epicondyle of the humerus with the medial edge of the coronoid process and the olecranon of the ulna, that helps to stabilize the elbow joint, and that is often injured in sports (as baseball) which involve repeated overhand throwing

… the preseason Atlantic Sun pitcher of the year, will miss the rest of the season after suffering ulnar collateral ligament damage on the inside of his throwing elbow.

—Dana Caldwell, The Naples (Florida) Daily News

… McDowell had a torn ulnar collateral ligament and will need Tommy John surgery to repair it …

—David Campbell, The Eagle (Bryan, Texas)

called also medial collateral ligament, UCL

compare radial collateral ligament sense 1

2

: a ligament of the wrist on the little finger side that connects the distal end of the ulna of the arm with the triquetral and pisiform bones and helps to stabilize the wrist joint

Palpate to the end of the ulnar styloid, and notice the gap between it and the carpals. … With the wrist in radial deviation, the ulnar collateral ligament can be felt bridging this gap.

—Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders: Physical Therapy Principles

called also UCL

compare radial collateral ligament sense 2

3

: a ligament of the inner middle joint of the thumb that connects the head of the metacarpal bone with the adjacent phalanx

… skier's thumb, an ulnar collateral ligament sprain or injury to the thumb usually resulting from a fall.

—Heidi Splete, Family Practice News

called also UCL

compare radial collateral ligament sense 3