International Journal of Anatomical Sciences 2010, 1:11-13
Research Paper
A Study of Microstructure of the Annular Ligament
Anand A.
Department of Anatomy, VMKV Medical College, Salem.
Key Words: annular ligament, cartilage, collagen fibers, cadaveric study
Abstract: In the elderly pain around the lateral side of the elbow is often diagnosed as lateral epicondylitis and the wear and tear of the common extensor origin is often implicated. However surgical ablation of the common extensor origin, physiotherapy and repeated intra articular injection have failed to alleviate the misery. Of late erosion of the inner surface annular ligament is considered to be a significant cause. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the cadaveric annular ligament were studied to investigate the nature of the inner surface of the annular ligament. The inner surface of the annular ligament is lined by white fibrocartilage. The nature of the cartilage does not seem to be mentioned in standard references. The findings are discussed in detail.