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# Wrist collateral ligaments

The wrist collateral ligaments are weak bands on the thumb and little-finger sides of the wrist; they limit side-to-side tilting.

Official name: Radial and ulnar collateral ligaments of the wrist

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## What it is

Thin bands on each side of the wrist joint.

## What it does

Limit side-to-side tilting of the wrist.

## Key points

- Weak capsular bands: side-to-side stability comes mostly from the shape of the joint and from tendons (APL and EPB radially, ECU ulnarly); some texts do not count them as true ligaments
- The ulnar collateral ligament is counted as part of the [TFCC](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triangular-fibrocartilage-complex/)
- The radial artery crosses the radial collateral ligament on its way into the anatomical snuffbox

## Key facts

**Attaches**
Radial styloid to [scaphoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scaphoid/); ulnar styloid to [triquetrum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triquetrum/) / [pisiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pisiform/)

**Function**
Limit side-to-side tilting

**Tight in**
Radial collateral in ulnar deviation; ulnar collateral in radial deviation

## Relations

**Lateral**
Radial side: [APL and EPB tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abductor-pollicis-longus-and-extensor-pollicis-brevis-tendons/) in the first compartment, the [radial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radial-artery/) and branches of the [superficial radial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-branch-of-the-radial-nerve/)

**Medial**
Ulnar side: ECU tendon in its sheath, and the dorsal branch of the [ulnar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnar-nerve/) crossing near the ulnar styloid

**Deep**
[Wrist capsule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/wrist-joint-capsule/) and the radiocarpal joint

## How to find it

The radial collateral is the firm tissue just distal to the tip of the radial styloid, at the proximal end of the anatomical snuffbox, felt with the wrist in ulnar deviation. The ulnar collateral lies just distal to the ulnar styloid, felt with the wrist in radial deviation.

## On imaging

Thin capsular bands not seen on radiographs. On coronal MRI the radial one lies beside the scaphoid and the ulnar one blends with the TFCC. Radiographs look at their attachments, the radial and ulnar styloids, where avulsion fractures show. MR arthrography is chosen when a TFCC tear is suspected; ultrasound checks the nearby tendons (APL, EPB, ECU).

## Clinical notes

- Radial styloid fractures and tip avulsions involve the radial collateral origin
- The dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve near the ulnar styloid is at risk in ulnar-side arthroscopy portals and in ECU or ulnar styloid surgery
- Branches of the superficial radial nerve near the radial styloid are at risk in first-compartment release and radial-side portals

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Where do the wrist collateral ligaments attach?

Radial: radial styloid to scaphoid; ulnar: ulnar styloid to triquetrum and pisiform.

## If the wrist collateral ligaments are weak, what gives the wrist side-to-side stability?

Mostly the shape of the joint and tendons: APL and EPB radially, ECU ulnarly.

## Which artery crosses the radial collateral ligament of the wrist?

The radial artery, on its way into the anatomical snuffbox.

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## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
ligamentum collaterale radiale carpi TA2 1801

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Ligamentos colaterales radial y ulnar del carpo

**English (TA2)**
Radial and ulnar collateral ligaments of the wrist

## Related

- [Pisiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pisiform/)
- [Radius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radius/)
- [Scaphoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scaphoid/)
- [Trapezium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trapezium/)
- [Triquetrum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/triquetrum/)
- [Ulna](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulna/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Radiocarpal Joint](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539744/); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Wrist Joint](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534779/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radial-and-ulnar-collateral-ligaments-of-the-wrist/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radial-and-ulnar-collateral-ligaments-of-the-wrist/