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Form and function of the oblique cord (chorda obliqua) in anthropoid primates

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Abstract

The oblique cord of the forearm in humans is a ligament connecting the anterolateral aspect of the ulna proximally to the posteromedial aspect of the radius distally, inserting just below the radial tuberosity. Its functional significance is uncertain, but it has been proposed that the ligament limits supination of the forearm or aids in resisting buckling failure in the curved radius. These functional explanations are unsatisfactory for bipedal humans who do not use their forelimbs in weight support. Furthermore, there are no evolutionary explanations for its presence in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and form of the oblique cord in non-human primates and to explore its possible functional significance and evolutionary origin in humans. Soft tissue dissections of anthropoid primates revealed the presence of an oblique cord in New and Old World monkeys and Asian apes. It was absent in all atelines. Passive manipulation of the two forearm bones in all specimens revealed that the ligament becomes most taut in pronation contrary to the proposed human condition. Isolated radii show that the oblique cord’s radial insertion lacks a clear relationship with bone curvature, thus providing little support for the hypothesis of preventing buckling failure. The oblique cord’s involvement in reducing bending strain in the curved radius is also unlikely. It is suggested here that the ligament may have a role in maintaining elbow stability in quadrupedal primates. Therefore, the function of the oblique cord in anthropoid primates suggests that its presence in modern humans may be a morphological and functional remnant from a quadrupedal ancestry.

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Notes

  1. Other measures of long bone curvature exist. Both Stern et al. (1995) and Richmond and Whalen (2001) offer alternative methods to CMA, but this method was chosen in order to compare the results with Swartz (1990).

  2. The one specimen of Cebus with a highly calcified oblique cord may be a result of the clinical condition known as “myositis ossificans” which implies the heterotopic formation of bone in soft tissue including ligaments (see Earwaker 1992 for review). Earwaker proposes that such a condition may occur during the disruption of the stabilizing ligaments around the elbow resulting in displacement of the proximal radius. This condition may also be related to the oblique cord’s role in aiding the structural integrity of the elbow complex. See Discussion section for more details.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Dr. Susan Larson for her guidance and assistance throughout the course of this study. Museum specimens were generously made available for study by Bob Randall and Jean Spence, American Museum of Natural History. Human cadavers were made available by Dr. Nikos Solounias and Dr. Dave Strait at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. I also thank the faculty in the Department of Anatomical Sciences at Stony Brook University, especially Dr. Kris Carlson, Dr. Brigitte Demes, Dr. John Fleagle, and Dr. Bill Jungers, as well as Theresa Franz and Mark Coleman for constructive comments on previous drafts of this manuscript. Additional comments by three anonymous reviewers were also helpful. Doug Boyer provided assistance with Fig. 2 and Luci Betti-Nash provided assistance with Fig. 3. Research was funded in part by NSF grant BCS-0109331.

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  1. Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences, Stony Brook University, SBS Building, Room S-501, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-4364, USA

    Biren A. Patel

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Patel, B.A. Form and function of the oblique cord (chorda obliqua) in anthropoid primates. Primates 46, 47–57 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-004-0094-8

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