medial collateral ligament

noun

plural medial collateral ligaments

1

: a ligament of the inner knee that connects medial parts of the femur and tibia and helps to stabilize the knee joint

… Barry Sanders, sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on Thanksgiving, but the reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.

—Peter King

called also MCL

2

: ulnar collateral ligament

… preliminary review of an MRI conducted yesterday on Williamson's injured right arm indicated he may have torn the reconstructed medial collateral ligament in his elbow …

—Bob Hohler

called also MCL

Examples of medial collateral ligament in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Receiver Brandon Aiyuk also has been on IR since Week 8 after tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 4 Dec. 2024

In late 2011, Peterson suffered a devastating injury during a game, tearing both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 9 Aug. 2024

The San Francisco 49ers are in the midst of what could be classed as an injury crisis, with the team announcing Monday that star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL), ruling him out for the rest of the season. —Sam Joseph, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024

His 2024 campaign got off to a slow start, and then a medial collateral ligament sprain set him back a month. —Spencer Nusbaum, Washington Post, 29 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

medial collateral ligament

noun

1

: a ligament that connects the medial epicondyle of the femur with the medial condyle and medial surface of the tibia and that helps to stabilize the knee by preventing lateral dislocation

called also MCL, tibial collateral ligament

compare lateral collateral ligament sense 1

2

: ulnar collateral ligament sense 1

called also MCL