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
Dana Caldwellcalled 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
Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorderscalled 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
Heidi Spletecalled also UCL
Examples of ulnar collateral ligament in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Wizards said before the game that Kyshawn George has a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
Not everyone can be Justin Verlander, an ex-teammate of Cole’s who won his third Cy Young at age 39 in 2022, the season after having his own ulnar collateral ligament repaired.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Day’Ron Sharpe remains out with a left thumb ulnar collateral ligament tear.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
The Kings announced that Eubanks has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
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ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
Not everyone can be Justin Verlander, an ex-teammate of Cole’s who won his third Cy Young at age 39 in 2022, the season after having his own ulnar collateral ligament repaired.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Day’Ron Sharpe remains out with a left thumb ulnar collateral ligament tear.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
The Kings announced that Eubanks has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ulnar collateral ligament
Cite this Entry
“Ulnar collateral ligament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ulnar%20collateral%20ligament. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ulnar collateral ligament
noun1
: 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
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)
David Campbell, The Eagle (Bryan, Texas)called also medial collateral ligament, UCL
compare radial collateral ligament sense 12
: 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
Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders: Physical Therapy Principlescalled also UCL
compare radial collateral ligament sense 23
: 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
Heidi Splete, Family Practice Newscalled also UCL
compare radial collateral ligament sense 3Love words? Need even more definitions?
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