Second cruciate pulley

Ligamentum cruciformis secondum

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The second cruciate pulley (C2) is a slender, cross-shaped fibrous band that forms part of the fibrous flexor sheath of each digit of the hand. It is situated between the third (A3) and fourth (A4) annular pulleys, roughly over the middle phalanx immediately distal to the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint.

Its main function is to maintain the alignment and flexibility of the fibrous sheath, allowing it to fold smoothly during finger flexion while keeping the flexor tendons gliding freely and preventing any kinking or bowing of the sheath.

References

  • Hauger, O., Chung, C.B., Lektrakul, N., Botte, M.J., Trudell, D., Boutin, R.D. and Resnick, D., 2000. Pulley system in the fingers: normal anatomy and simulated lesions in cadavers at MR imaging, CT, and US with and without contrast material distention of the tendon sheath. Radiology, 217(1), pp.201-212.

  • Petchprapa CN, Vaswani D. MRI of the Fingers: An Update. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2019 Sep;213(3):534-548. doi: 10.2214/AJR.19.21217. Epub 2019 Jul 3. PMID: 31268729.

  • Gupta P, Lenchik L, Wuertzer SD, Pacholke DA. High-resolution 3-T MRI of the fingers: review of anatomy and common tendon and ligament injuries. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015 Mar;204(3):W314-23. doi: 10.2214/AJR.14.12776. PMID: 25714317.

  • Clavero JA, Alomar X, Monill JM, Esplugas M, Golanó P, Mendoza M, Salvador A. MR imaging of ligament and tendon injuries of the fingers. Radiographics. 2002 Mar-Apr;22(2):237-56. doi: 10.1148/radiographics.22.2.g02mr11237. PMID: 11896215.