WHEN ANATOMY CHALLENGES THE ATLAS: AN UNUSUAL MORPHOLOGICAL VARIANT OF THE INTERCLAVICULAR LIGAMENT AS A TEACHING TOOL FOR ANATOMICAL VARIABILITY

Authors

  • Enzo Gabriel Martins Aragão Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5351-1406
  • Tawan de Lima Lisboa Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6001-0285
  • Ana Luiza Conceição dos Santos Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4219-6684
  • Wallance Geovane Alexandre Lima Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0023-1429
  • André Elias Rezende Santos Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5513-8655
  • Expedito Ronald da Silva Lapa Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0229-5973
  • Felipe Matheus Sant’Anna Aragão Cardiology Resident at the Heart Institute of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (INCOR), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9211-7000
  • Iapunira Catarina Sant’Anna Aragão Postgraduate student in Endocrinology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (MED PUCRio), affiliated with the Luiz Capriglione State Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (IEDE), and Emergency Physician at the Munir Rafful Municipal Hospital (MHMR), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5298-537X
  • Deise Maria Furtado de Mendonça Associate Professor of Anatomy, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6772-0266
  • Vera Lúcia Corrêa Feitosa Titular Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5705-6433
  • Francisco Prado Reis Titular Professor of the Medical School, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7776-1831
  • José Aderval Aragão Titular Professor of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2300-3330

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2026v8n7p568-581

Keywords:

Interclavicular ligament; Anatomical variation; Sternoclavicular joint; Morphometry; Anatomy education.

Abstract

Introduction: The interclavicular ligament (ICL) plays a fundamental role in the stability of the sternoclavicular joint and is classically described as a thin fibrous band connecting the sternal ends of the clavicles. Although anatomical variations are recognized, reports of morphological variants associated with planimetric expansion remain scarce in the literature, limiting the understanding of their anatomical, clinical, and educational implications. Objective: To describe an unusual morphological variant of the interclavicular ligament characterized by planimetric expansion, highlighting its morphometric aspects, anatomical configuration, and potential biomechanical, surgical, and educational implications. Case Report: During the anatomical dissection of an adult male cadaver, an interclavicular ligament with a laminar conformation and wide transverse extension over the jugular notch was identified. After removal of the anatomical specimen, linear measurements were performed using a digital caliper, and planimetric analysis was carried out using ImageJ® software. The ligament measured 37.73 mm in length, 6.40 mm in width, and 1.09 mm in mean thickness, values consistent with the literature. However, planimetric analysis revealed a marked increase in ligament area, associated with the formation of a well-defined elliptical interclavicular osteofibrous foramen. These findings demonstrate that the uniqueness of this variant arises from its planimetric expansion and morphological architecture, rather than from increased linear dimensions. Conclusion: The described anatomical variant expands the current knowledge of the morphological variability of the interclavicular ligament and may influence the biomechanics of the sternoclavicular joint, the planning of cervicothoracic surgical procedures, and anatomy education, reinforcing the importance of recognizing anatomical variations in medical training and clinical practice.

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Author Biographies

Enzo Gabriel Martins Aragão, Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil.

Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL),Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil.

Tawan de Lima Lisboa, Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Ana Luiza Conceição dos Santos, Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Wallance Geovane Alexandre Lima, Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

André Elias Rezende Santos, Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Expedito Ronald da Silva Lapa, Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Felipe Matheus Sant’Anna Aragão, Cardiology Resident at the Heart Institute of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (INCOR), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Cardiology Resident at the Heart Institute of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (INCOR), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Iapunira Catarina Sant’Anna Aragão, Postgraduate student in Endocrinology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (MED PUCRio), affiliated with the Luiz Capriglione State Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (IEDE), and Emergency Physician at the Munir Rafful Municipal Hospital (MHMR), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Postgraduate student in Endocrinology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (MED PUCRio), affiliated with the Luiz Capriglione State Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (IEDE), and Emergency Physician at the Munir Rafful Municipal Hospital (MHMR), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Deise Maria Furtado de Mendonça, Associate Professor of Anatomy, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Associate Professor of Anatomy, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Vera Lúcia Corrêa Feitosa, Titular Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Titular Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Francisco Prado Reis, Titular Professor of the Medical School, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil

Titular Professor of the Medical School, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil

José Aderval Aragão, Titular Professor of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Titular Professor of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

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Published

2026-07-14

How to Cite

Martins Aragão, E. G., Lisboa, T. de L., Conceição dos Santos, A. L., Lima, W. G. A., Rezende Santos, A. E., Lapa, E. R. da S., Sant’Anna Aragão, F. M., Sant’Anna Aragão, I. C., Furtado de Mendonça, D. M., Corrêa Feitosa, V. L., Prado Reis, F., & Aragão, J. A. (2026). WHEN ANATOMY CHALLENGES THE ATLAS: AN UNUSUAL MORPHOLOGICAL VARIANT OF THE INTERCLAVICULAR LIGAMENT AS A TEACHING TOOL FOR ANATOMICAL VARIABILITY. Brazilian Journal of Implantology and Health Sciences, 8(7), 568–581. https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2026v8n7p568-581

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 7 (2026): BJIHS QUALIS B3 - FATOR DE IMPACTO SJIF 5.807 - ÍNDICE H 19

Section

Case Report

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Enzo Gabriel Martins Aragão, Tawan de Lima Lisboa, Ana Luiza Conceição dos Santos, Wallance Geovane Alexandre Lima, André Elias Rezende Santos, Expedito Ronald da Silva Lapa, Felipe Matheus Sant’Anna Aragão, Iapunira Catarina Sant’Anna Aragão, Deise Maria Furtado de Mendonça, Vera Lúcia Corrêa Feitosa, Francisco Prado Reis, José Aderval Aragão

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