Interclavicular ligament

At a glance

English

Interclavicular ligament

Latin (TA2)

Ligamentum interclaviculare

System

Ligament

Region

Upper limb

Side

Paired, left and right

About the interclavicular ligament

Each sternoclavicular joint is bound by a capsule and by anterior, posterior and costoclavicular ligaments. Running across the top of both joints is a further band shared between the two sides, the interclavicular ligament. It ties the medial end of the right clavicle to that of the left and anchors itself to the sternum on the way.

The ligament is a flattened band whose size and shape differ a good deal from person to person. It starts on the top edge of one clavicle's inner end, blending with the top of the joint capsule, and curves across the midline to the corresponding point on the other clavicle. As it crosses, its lower fibres dip down and anchor to the manubrium's top edge at the jugular notch, so that the band forms a shallow arch whose lowest point is fixed to bone. Superficial to it are the skin and the sternal heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscles; deep to it lie the sternothyroid muscles. It is easily felt in the dip at the root of the neck.

Its job is to limit downward movement of the shoulders. When the arm hangs or carries a load, the lateral end of the clavicle drops and the medial end tends to rise; the ligament tightens and resists this, helping the upper ends of the two clavicles stay seated on the manubrium. It also adds to the strength of the upper part of each sternoclavicular capsule.

Although it is seldom injured in isolation, the interclavicular ligament is torn in sternoclavicular dislocations and must be considered when such joints are repaired. Surgeons working in the suprasternal region, for instance on the trachea or at the root of the neck, pass close to it. In imaging, its normal thickness should not be mistaken for a mass at the jugular notch.

Attachments and function

Attaches from

The top edge of one clavicle's inner end.

Attaches to

The upper border of the sternal end of the opposite clavicle, with intermediate fibres anchored to the manubrium's top edge.

Function

Limits depression of the shoulders by restraining upward movement of the medial clavicular ends, and strengthens the top of both sternoclavicular joints.

Nerve supply

Branches of the medial supraclavicular nerves.

Blood supply

Branches of the internal thoracic and inferior thyroid arteries.