Radial collateral ligament

Looks like

A fan-shaped band on the outer side of the elbow, from the outer bump of the arm bone to the annular ligament.

What it does

Stops the elbow gapping on the outer side.

Keeping it well

Injured in elbow dislocations; its damage causes posterolateral instability. Tennis elbow tendons lie just over it.

Related conditions

• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Lyme disease
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder