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

Right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt has sustained damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and is seeking a second opinion before committing to season-ending surgery. —Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

Yankees manager Aaron Boone made the announcement Saturday, acknowledging the injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in Schmidt’s right elbow. —Mike Fitzpatrick, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025

Those exams revealed damage to his ulnar collateral ligament. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 12 June 2025

Forward Moses Moody previously underwent a procedure to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb. —Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

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