Struthers' ligament is a feature of human anatomy consisting of a band of connective tissue at the medial aspect of the distal humerus. It courses from the supracondylar process of the humerus (also known as avian spur) to the medial epicondyle of the humerus.[2] It is not a constant ligament, and can be acquired or congenital.[3][4][5] The structure was highlighted by John Struthers, who discussed the feature's evolutionary significance with Charles Darwin. Struthers originally reported that the ligament usually arose at a position 3.2 to 6.4 cm from the medial condyle, being 1.2 to 1.9 cm in length, and nearer to the anterior than the medial border of the humerus.[1]
The clinical significance of this structure is due to the median nerve and brachial artery which may pass underneath the "arch" formed by the process and ligament over the humeral body. Within this space the nerve may be compressed leading to supracondylar process syndrome.[6][7][8][9] the arcade of Struthers is located nearby and is a fascial band running between the medial head of triceps and the medial inter muscular septum, it is a distinct entity to the ligament of Struthers. The arcade is involved in ulnar nerve compression, usually post transposition, the ligament is not. [10]
^ abStruthers, John, 1854. "On some points in the abnormal anatomy of the arm".
^De Jesus R, Dellon AL (May 2003). "Historic origin of the "Arcade of Struthers"". J Hand Surg Am. 28 (3): 528–31. doi:10.1053/jhsu.2003.50071. PMID12772116.
^Hommel U, Bellée H, Link M (1989). "[The validity of parameters in neonatal diagnosis and fetal monitoring of breech deliveries. 1. Neonatal status after breech delivery]". Zentralbl Gynakol (in German). 111 (19): 1293–9. PMID2588859.
^Varlam H, St Antohe D, Chistol RO (September 2005). "[Supracondylar process and supratrochlearforamen of the humerus: a case report and a review of the literature]". Morphologie (in French). 89 (286): 121–5. doi:10.1016/S1286-0115(05)83248-5. PMID16444940.
^Wertsch JJ, Melvin J (December 1982). "Median nerve anatomy and entrapment syndromes: a review". Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 63 (12): 623–7. PMID6756339.
^Bilecenoglu B, Uz A, Karalezli N (April 2005). "Possible anatomic structures causing entrapment neuropathies of the median nerve: an anatomic study". Acta Orthop Belg. 71 (2): 169–76. PMID16152850.