Morphological analysis of Humeroulnar arcade and its practical implications: A cadaveric observational study

• S Raghavalakshmi,  
• Magi Murugan,*  
• Rajprasath Ramakrishnan,  
• v Dinesh kumar,  
• REMA DEVI

Abstract

Background: Cubital tunnel’s roof is made of a fibrous band of tissue called Osborne’s ligament which extends between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. This band is a potential cause of ulnar nerve compression in the cubital tunnel. Methods: A total of 30 embalmed cadaver was used and were classified using the O’ Driscoll classification. At different angles of the elbow flexion [20-140 degrees], the tautness of the ligament was noted and the variation of the length of the ligament concerning these angles was found by using the digital Vernier callipers. Results: 20 cadavers had type 1b, 7 cadavers had type 0, 3 had type 1a and no cadaver had type 2 Osborne’s ligament. The percentage of ulnar nerve compression is more between 80 to 110 degrees of flexion maximum being 90 degrees. Conclusion: The knowledge of this anatomy may help in treating ulnar nerve compression safely using anterior nerve transposition techniques and analysing the post-surgical MRI images of the cubital tunnel area

Keywords

Cubital tunnel syndrome, Osborne’s ligament, Ulnar nerve, Nerve compression, Cubital tunnel retinaculum