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Proximal hamstring morphology and morphometry in men: an anatomic and MRI investigation
Author(s) -
Storey R. N.,
Meikle G. R.,
Stringer M. D.,
Woodley S. J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12625
Subject(s) - morphology (biology) , hamstring , anatomy , medicine , biology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , genetics
The proximal musculo‐tendinous junction ( MTJ ) is a common site of hamstring strain injury but the anatomy of this region is not well defined. A morphometric analysis of the proximal MTJ s of biceps femoris long head ( BF lh), semitendinosus ( ST ), and semimembranosus ( SM ) was undertaken from dissection of 10 thighs from five male cadavers and magnetic resonance imaging of 20 thighs of 10 active young men. The length, volume, and cross‐sectional area of the proximal tendon, MTJ and muscle belly, and muscle‐tendon interface area were calculated. In both groups, MTJ s were reconstructed three‐dimensionally. The proximal tendons and MTJ s were expansive, particularly within SM and BF lh. Morphology varied between muscles although length measurements within individual muscles were similar in cadavers and young men. Semimembranosus had the longest proximal tendon (cadavers: mean 33.6 ± 2.0 cm; young men: mean 31.7 ± 1.6 cm) and MTJ (>20 cm in both groups) and the greatest muscle‐tendon interface area, followed by BF lh and ST . Mean muscle belly volumes were more than three times greater in young men than elderly male cadavers ( P < 0.001). These unique morphometric data contribute to a better understanding of hamstring anatomy, an important factor in the pathogenesis of hamstring strain injury.