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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Following his lone appearance of the 2020 season, Kahnle was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament and got Tommy John surgery. —Matthew Roberson, Hartford Courant, 6 Dec. 2022

So in order to deal with a player like Allen, who is still holding some top marks in the league in both passing and rushing despite playing with an injured ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm, opposing defenses must have short memories. —Ashley Bastock, cleveland, 18 Nov. 2022

More:Dave Birkett's game-by-game picks for 2022 Last season, Hockenson was on pace to top all those numbers before undergoing surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb in December. —Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2022

When Gutierrez initially injured his elbow, placed on the injured list on June 5, an MRI showed a Grade 1 strain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. —Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 10 July 2022

Mulé is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery next week to repair his ulnar collateral ligament, sources told the Tribune. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2023

Tigers prospect Wenceel Perez looks to heal from back injury, build on breakthrough Infielder Quincy Nieporte underwent Tommy John surgery on March 1 to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. —Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2023

The exception was when starting center Bam Adebayo tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb last season and was sidelined seven weeks. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2023

The surgery was to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, sustained during the first quarter of the 49ers’ 31-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 29. —Safid Deen, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023

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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