Morphometric anatomic study and clinical significance of the collateral ligaments of the thumb interphalangeal joint

Abstract

We aimed to emphasize the clinical significance of the collateral ligaments of the thumb interphalangeal joint through a morphometric anatomical study. Our study was performed on the thumbs obtained from 10 fresh cadavers in Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Anatomy Department Laboratory. The collateral ligaments in the thumb interphalangeal joint were examined and morphometric analysis was carried out using MicroScribe G2X. It was observed that the collateral ligaments are made up of proper (pCL) and accessory (aCL) components. pCL extends from the dorsal surface of the proximal phalanx head to the palmar surface of the proximal end of the distal phalanx, while aCL extends obliquely from dorsal to palmar and from proximal to distal and attaches to the palmar plate. The mean vertical and transverse diameters of the collateral ligament in the proximal interphalangeal joint were 12±2 mm (10 mm min –14 mm max) and 3±1 mm (2 mm min – 4 mm max), respectively. Knowing the anatomy and morphometry of the collateral ligaments of the thumb interphalangeal joint will shed light on the surgical techniques that are to be applied in the reconstructions of injured ligaments.