Basic ScienceFunctional anatomy of the superior glenohumeral and coracohumeral ligaments and the subscapularis tendon in view of stabilization of the long head of the biceps tendon
Section snippets
Materials and methods
This study used specimens from deceased donors who provide full consent for the study. Approval of an Investigational Review Board was not required
This anatomic study used 20 specimens from 10 deceased donors (5 men, 5 women) who were a mean age of 73.3 years. All cadavers were fixed in 8% formalin and preserved in 30% ethanol. There was no macroscopic abnormality in the rotator cuff or LHB, although a history of shoulder problems was not available.
The clavicle and humerus were cut at the
Results
The anatomic study demonstrated that the CHL, which was a bundle of connective tissue attached to the dorsal side of the coracoid process, spread laterally and covered the most external layer of the glenohumeral joint. A wide portion of the most superior insertion point of the subscapularis attached to the uppermost margin of the lesser tuberosity. This insertion constituted a tendinous wall that continued from the osseous medial wall of the intertubercular groove. Moreover, this insertion sent
Discussion
Several important soft-tissue structures retain the LHB at the superior portion of the intertubercular groove.4 The most important structure to serve as a restraint to keep the LHB from dislocating is the most superior insertion point of the subscapularis. This study found the surface of the superior-most insertion continued from the osseous medial wall of the intertubercular groove and supported the LHB from the inferior side. The tendinous slip of the subscapularis insertion did not extend in
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