Anatomy of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to study the anatomy of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament and provide anatomic measurements not previously described. Thirteen fresh-frozen cadaver elbows were dissected. A 3-dimensional, electromagnetic, digitizing device was used to measure several anatomic parameters of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament. The width of the ligament was not uniform, increasing distally toward the insertion. The average area of the origin was 45.5 mm2, and the average area of the insertion was 127.8 mm2. The edge of the insertion was separated from the ulna articular margin by an average of 2.8 mm. The study provides quantitative data describing the anatomy of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament. This information may prove useful in surgical techniques designed to reproduce the anatomy and biomechanics of the elbow after injury.