The supraglenoid tubercle is a region of the scapula from which the long head of the biceps brachii muscle originates.[1][2] It is a small, rough projection superior to the glenoid cavity near the base of the coracoid process. The term supraglenoid is from the Latin supra, meaning above, and glenoid, meaning socket or cavity.[3]
Clinical relevance
Biceps tendonitis
Biceps tendonitis 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.[4] In cases of biceps tendinitis, steroids can be injected fluoroscopically at the supraglenoid tubercle to reduce pain associated with the pathology.[5]
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),[6] often after an excessively strong contraction of the biceps brachii.[7] This may also cause a fracture of the surrounding parts of the scapula, particularly the glenoid cavity.[8] This may also occur in horses.[9] This type of bone fracture is quite rare.[10]
Additional images
Position of supraglenoid tubercle (shown in red). left scapula.
Still image. Left scapula, lateral view.
Position of supraglenoid tubercle (shown in red). Animation.
^DeCamp, Charles E.; Johnston, Spencer A.; Déjardin, Loïc M.; Schaefer, Susan L. (2016-01-01), DeCamp, Charles E.; Johnston, Spencer A.; Déjardin, Loïc M.; Schaefer, Susan L. (eds.), "10 - The shoulder joint", Brinker, Piermattei and Flo's Handbook of Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair (Fifth Edition), W.B. Saunders, pp. 260–297, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-2364-9.00019-7, ISBN978-1-4377-2364-9, retrieved 2020-10-25
^DeCamp, Charles E.; Johnston, Spencer A.; Déjardin, Loïc M.; Schaefer, Susan L. (2016-01-01), DeCamp, Charles E.; Johnston, Spencer A.; Déjardin, Loïc M.; Schaefer, Susan L. (eds.), "9 - Fractures of the scapula", Brinker, Piermattei and Flo's Handbook of Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair (Fifth Edition), W.B. Saunders, pp. 251–259, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-2364-9.00018-5, ISBN978-1-4377-2364-9, retrieved 2020-10-25
^Fortier, Lisa A. (2019-01-01), Auer, Jörg A.; Stick, John A.; Kümmerle, Jan M.; Prange, Timo (eds.), "Chapter 98 - Shoulder", Equine Surgery (Fifth Edition), W.B. Saunders, pp. 1699–1709, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-48420-6.00098-3, ISBN978-0-323-48420-6