The supraglenoid tubercle is a region of the
scapula
The scapula (plural scapulae or scapulas), also known as the shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone). Like their connected bones, the scapulae are paired, with each scapula on eith ...
from which the long head of the
biceps brachii muscle originates. It is a small, rough projection superior to the
glenoid cavity
The glenoid fossa of the scapula or the glenoid cavity is a bone part of the shoulder. The word ''glenoid'' is pronounced or (both are common) and is from el, gléne, "socket", reflecting the shoulder joint's ball-and-socket form. It is a sha ...
near the base of the
coracoid process
The coracoid process (from Greek κόραξ, raven) is a small hook-like structure on the lateral edge of the superior anterior portion of the scapula (hence: coracoid, or "like a raven's beak"). Pointing laterally forward, it, together with the ...
. The term supraglenoid is from the Latin ''supra,'' meaning above, and ''glenoid,'' meaning socket or cavity.
Clinical relevance
Biceps tendonitis
Biceps
tendonitis
Tendinopathy, a type of tendon disorder that results in pain, swelling, and impaired function. The pain is typically worse with movement. It most commonly occurs around the shoulder ( rotator cuff tendinitis, biceps tendinitis), elbow ( tennis e ...
originates on the
long head of the biceps brachii at the supraglenoid tubercle in 30% of cases. The main symptom is generally anterior biceps instability, but the disease can also be characterized by chronic anterior
shoulder pain which radiates towards the lateral part of the
elbow
The elbow is the region between the arm and the forearm that surrounds the elbow joint. The elbow includes prominent landmarks such as the olecranon, the cubital fossa (also called the chelidon, or the elbow pit), and the lateral and the me ...
. In cases of biceps tendinitis,
steroids can be injected
fluoroscopically at the supraglenoid tubercle to reduce pain associated with the pathology.
Avulsion
The supraglenoid tubercle
ossifies separately from the rest of the scapula, so may not be as strong as the rest of the bone. It can be pulled off (
avulsed), often after an excessively strong
contraction of the biceps brachii. This may also cause a
fracture of the surrounding parts of the scapula, particularly the
glenoid cavity
The glenoid fossa of the scapula or the glenoid cavity is a bone part of the shoulder. The word ''glenoid'' is pronounced or (both are common) and is from el, gléne, "socket", reflecting the shoulder joint's ball-and-socket form. It is a sha ...
. This may also occur in
horses. This type of bone fracture is quite rare.
Additional images
File:Supraglenoid tubercle of left scapula - animation.gif, Position of supraglenoid tubercle (shown in red). left scapula.
File:Supraglenoid tubercle of left scapula01.png, Still image. Left scapula, lateral view.
File:Supraglenoid tubercle of scapula - animation02.gif, Position of supraglenoid tubercle (shown in red). Animation.
File:Supraglenoid tubercle of scapula01.png, Still image.
See also
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Infraglenoid tubercle
The infraglenoid tubercle is the part of the scapula from which the long head of the triceps brachii muscle originates. The infraglenoid tubercle is a tubercle located on the lateral part of the scapula, inferior to (below) the glenoid cavity. T ...
References
External links
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Scapula
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