Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anatomical considerations regarding the “bare spot” of the glenoid cavity

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The “bare spot” of the glenoid cavity has recently been described as a constant reference point to quantify the amount of bone loss from the inferior portion of the glenoid cavity. In shoulder surgery this spot should help the surgeon to determine the width of the inferior portion of the glenoid cavity arthroscopically. The aim of this study was to determine the localization of the bare spot within the glenoid cavity and to prove its usefulness in shoulder surgery by means of a macroscopic study using embalmed glenohumeral joints (n=20; 12 left, 8 right). Each glenoid cavity was photographed and transferred to a commercial AutoCAD software program. The bare spot was marked and the mean distances between the center of the bare spot and the inferior (a), anterior (b 1) and posterior (b 2) inner margins of the glenoid labrum as well as its relationship (c) to the mid-point of a virtual circle formed by the inferior portion of the glenoid cavity were measured (mean values : a=9.70, b 1=10.88, b 2=13.71, c=3.2 mm). In most cases, the bare spot showed a significantly excentric position within the inferior part of the glenoid cavity (p<0.05). Due to the great variability in the shape of the glenoid cavity, an inferior circle according to previous descriptions could only be observed in half the specimens. From the results of our study the bare spot seems to be an unreliable landmark for the determination of the center of the inferior portion of the glenoid cavity, although it has a constant appearance and is probably expressed as the result of cartilaginous distribution due to dynamic shoulder activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Anetzberger H, Putz R (1996) The scapula: principles of construction and stress. Acta Anat 156:70–80

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Anetzberger H, Schulz C, Pfahler M, Refior HJ, Muller-Gerbl M (2002) Subchondral mineralization patterns of the glenoid after tear of the supraspinatus. Clin Orthop 404:263–268

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Burkhart SS, DeBeer JF, Tehrany AM, Parten PM (2002) Quantifying glenoid bone loss arthroscopically in shoulder instability. Arthroscopy 18:488–491

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Conzen A, Eckstein F (2000) Quantitative determination of articular pressure in the human shoulder joint. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 9:196–204

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Fealy S, Rodeo SA, Dicarlo EF, O’Brien SJ (2000) The developmental anatomy of the neonatal glenohumeral joint. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 9:217–222

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Huber CE (1991) Zur Form und Grösse der Cavitas glenoidalis. Anat Anz 172:137–142

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. McPherson EJ, Friedman RJ, An YH, Chokesi R, Dooley RL (1997) Anthropometric study of the normal glenohumeral relationships. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 6:105–112

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Platzer W, Putz R, Poisel S (1978) Ein neues Konservierungs- und Aufbewahrungssystem für anatomisches Material. Acta Anat 102:60–67

    Google Scholar 

  9. Prescher A, Klümpen T (1995) Does the area of the glenoid cavity of the scapula show sexual dimorphism? J Anat 186:223–226

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Prescher A, Klümpen T (1997) The glenoid notch and its relation to the shape of the glenoid cavity of the scapula. J Anat 190:457–460

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Schulz CU, Pfahler M, Anetzberger HM, Becker CR, Muller-Gerbl M, Refior HJ (2002) The mineralization patterns at the subchondral bone plate of the glenoid cavity in healthy shoulders. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 11:174–181

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Testut L, Latarjet A (1928) Articulation scapulo-humérale. In: Testut L, Latarjet A (eds) Traité d’anatomie humaine, 8th edn. Doin, Paris

  13. Tillmann B, Töndury G (1998) Bewegungsapparat. In: Rauber/Kopsch. Anatomie des Menschen. Lehrbuch und Atlas, 2nd edn, vol 1. Thieme, Stuttgart, pp 343–349

  14. Vogt S, Eckstein F, Schön M, Putz R (1999) Preferential direction of the collagen fibrils in the subchondral bone of the hip and shoulder joint. Ann Anat 181:181–189

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Williams PL, Warwick R, Dyson M, Bannister LH (1989) Joints of the upper limb. In: Gray’s anatomy, 37th edn. Churchill Livingstone, New York, pp 501–504

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Prof. Bernhard Moriggl for reading the manuscript and for valuable discussions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Department of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 59, 6010, Innsbruck, Austria

    F. Aigner, S. Longato & H. Fritsch

  2. Department of General and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6010, Innsbruck, Austria

    F. Aigner

  3. Department of Traumatology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6010, Innsbruck, Austria

    F. Kralinger

Authors
  1. F. Aigner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Longato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. Fritsch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Kralinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Aigner.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Aigner, F., Longato, S., Fritsch, H. et al. Anatomical considerations regarding the “bare spot” of the glenoid cavity. Surg Radiol Anat 26, 308–311 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0217-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0217-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation