Posterior sternoclavicular ligament

Looks like

A strong band over the back of the sternoclavicular joint.

What it does

The main holder of the joint, stopping the collarbone being pushed backward.

Keeping it well

A backward dislocation is rare but dangerous: it can press on the windpipe and large vessels. Breathing or swallowing trouble after chest trauma is an emergency.

Related conditions

• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Lyme disease
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Shoulder dislocation
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder