Costoclavicular ligament

Authors
Affiliations

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: Sternoclavicular joint (Anterior view)1

The costoclavicular ligament is a passive stabilizer of the sternoclavicular joint

Anatomy

The costoclavicular ligament extends from the 1st rib cartilage to the costal tuberosity on the inferior aspect of the clavicle2.

The ligament can be anatomically divided into 2 bundles:

  1. Anterior bundle
  2. Posterior bundle

The anterior bundle and posterior bundle run perpendicular to eachother2. The anterior bundle runs obliquely in a superolateral direction, while the posterior bundle runs in a posteromedial direction2.

Function

Since the fibers run in perpendicular directions, this allows the ligament as a whole to assist in stabilization of all sternoclavicular movements (elevation, protraction, retraction) except depression2.

  • Both the anterior and posterior bundles resist end range elevation2.
  • The anterior bundle resists elevation and retraction2.
  • The posterior bundle resists endrange elevation and protraction2.

References

1.
Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/
2.
Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.

Citation

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