Clavicle Ligament

• Medial Clavicle articulates with sternal bone forming the sternoclavicular joint, there is relatively little motion at the sternoclavicular joint. Medially the clavicle is secured to the sternum by the sternoclavicular capsule. The thickening of the posterior capsule has been determined to be the single most important soft tissue constraint to anterior or posterior translation of the medial clavicle.

• There is also an interclavicular ligament which runs from the medial end of one clavicle, gains purchase from the superior aspect of the sternum at the sternal notch and attaches to the medial end of the contralateral clavicle. Acting as a tension wire at the base of the clavicle, this ligament helps prevent inferior angulation or translation of the clavicle.

• There are extremely stout ligaments that originate on the first rib and insert on the undersurface or the inferior aspect of the clavicle.