Abstract
The paraglenoid sulcus is a variable groove in the ilium adjacent to the inferior end of the sacroiliac joint. This study investigates the hypothesis that the groove is due to resorption at the insertion of the anterior sacroiliac ligament in response to stress. The anatomical relationships of the groove are shown with plain films, arteriography and computed tomography. Relationship to parity was tested in 70 adult female subjects; a statistically significant relationship was found, with deep grooves occurring only in parous women. An association with osteitis condensans ilii was also demonstrated. Relationship to lumbosacral posture was tested in 102 adult females, and an association with increased lumbar lordosis was found. These findings are consistent with our initial hypothesis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Keats TE. Atlas of normal roentgen variants that may simulate disease, 4th edn. Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers, 1988: 317–318.
Köhler A, Zimmer EA. Borderlands of the normal and early pathologic in skeletal roentgenology, 11th edn. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1968: 376–377.
Derry DE. The significance of the sulcus preauricularis. Anat Anz 1911; 39: 13–20.
Löhr P. Ueber den Sulcus praeauricularis des Darmbeins und ähnliche Furchen anderer Knochen. Anat Anz 1894; 9: 521–536.
Ferguson AB. A groove for the hypogastric vessels. J Bone Joint Surg 1931; 13: 568–569.
Dee PM. The preauricular sulcus. Radiology 1981; 140: 354.
Houghton P. The relationship of the pre-auricular groove of the ilium to pregnancy. Am J Phys Anthropol 1974; 41: 381–390.
Houghton P. The bony imprint of pregnancy. Bull NY Acad Med 1977; 51: 655–661.
Spring DB, Lovejoy CO, Bender GN, Duerr M. The radiographic preauricular groove: its non-relationship to past parity. Am J Phys Anthropol 1989; 79: 247–252.
Kelley MA. Parturition and pelvic changes. Am J Phys Anthropol 1979; 51: 541–546.
Cox M, Scott A. Evaluation of the obstetric significance of some pelvic characters in an 18th century British sample of known parity status. Am J Phys Anthropol 1992; 89: 431–440.
Wiltse LL, Winter RB. Terminology and measurement of spondylolisthesis. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1983; 65: 768–772.
Vleeming A, Stoeckart R, Volkers ACW, Snijders CJ. Relation between form and function in the sacroiliac joint. Part I: Clinical anatomical aspects. Spine 1990; 15: 130–132.
Gerlach UJ, Lierse W. Functional construction of the sacroiliac ligamentous apparatus. Acta Anat 1992; 144: 97–102.
Lee D. The pelvic girdle: an approach to the examination and treatment of the lumbo-pelvic-hip region. London: Churchill Livingstone, 1989; 46–53.
Segeberth-Orban R. An evaluation of the sexual dimorphism of the human innominate bone. J Hum Evol 1980; 9: 601–607.
Calguneri M, Bird HA, Wright V. Changes in joint laxity occurring during pregnancy. Ann Rheum Dis 1982; 41: 126–128.
Dihlmann W. Diagnostic radiology of the sacroiliac joints. New York: Thieme, 1980; 104.
Wells J. Osteitis condensans ilii. AJR 1956; 76: 1141–1143.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schemmer, D., White, P.G. & Friedman, L. Radiology of the paraglenoid sulcus. Skeletal Radiol. 24, 205–209 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00228925
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00228925