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Variations in the MRI appearance of the insertion of the tendon of subscapularis
Author(s) -
Cash C.J.C.,
MacDonald K.J.,
Dixon A.K.,
Bearcroft P.W.P.,
Constant C.R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/ca.20789
Subject(s) - medicine , shoulders , tendon , anatomy , humerus , shoulder joint , biceps tendon , magnetic resonance imaging , greater tuberosity , ligament , surgery , radiology
Standard anatomical textbooks describe the insertion of the subscapularis tendon on to the lesser tuberosity of the humerus. The transverse humeral ligament is also described at this level, as a band of tissue attached to the greater and lesser tuberosities, overlying the long tendon of biceps as it emerges from the capsule of the shoulder joint. The shoulder is a notorious site for anatomical variation but until recently little has been published with regard to the tendon of subscapularis. In this study, we illustrate that considerable variation in the insertion site of the tendon of subscapularis can be demonstrated using magnetic resonance imaging and that only 20% conform to the classic textbook description. In addition, a distinct transverse humeral ligament was identifiable in only a minority of shoulders examined (36%). Clin. Anat. 22:489–494, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.