Footprint of the rotator cuff
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
At the time the article was created Joachim Feger had no recorded disclosures.
View Joachim Feger's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Joachim Feger had no recorded disclosures.
View Joachim Feger's current disclosures- Rotator cuff footprint
The footprint of the rotator cuff is the insertional anatomy and the common tendon of the rotator cuff. It is an integral part of the stability of the glenohumeral joint.
Gross anatomy
The rotator cuff footprint involves the convergence of the four rotator cuff tendons, which form a multi-layered, flat structure with the shape of a horseshoe, when viewed in the glenoidal (parasagittal) plane, consisting of the separate tendon insertions 1, which for themselves show a wide range of lengths and widths 1.
Attachments
- supraspinatus insertion with a triangular shape at the anteromedial aspect of the superior facet of the greater tubercle 2
- infraspinatus insertion with a trapezoid shape at the posterior aspect of the superior facet and the middle facet of the greater tubercle extending anterolaterally 2
- teres minor insertion at the inferior facet of the greater tubercle
- subscapularis insertion anteriorly and proximally on the lesser tubercle
There is a significant overlapping zone of muscle/tendon units with interweaving fibers, especially between the posterior supraspinatus and anterior infraspinatus tendons 6.
References
- 1. Curtis A, Burbank K, Tierney J, Scheller A, Curran A. The Insertional Footprint of the Rotator Cuff: An Anatomic Study. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery. 2006;22(6):603-609.e1. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2006.04.001 - Pubmed
- 2. Mochizuki T, Sugaya H, Uomizu M et al. Humeral Insertion of the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus. New Anatomical Findings Regarding the Footprint of the Rotator Cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;90(5):962-9. doi:10.2106/JBJS.G.00427 - Pubmed
- 3. Schaeffeler C, Mueller D, Kirchhoff C, Wolf P, Rummeny E, Woertler K. Tears at the Rotator Cuff Footprint: Prevalence and Imaging Characteristics in 305 MR Arthrograms of the Shoulder. Eur Radiol. 2011;21(7):1477-84. doi:10.1007/s00330-011-2066-x - Pubmed
- 4. Papakonstantinou M, Pan W, le Roux C, Richardson M. Arterial Supply of the Tendinous Rotator Cuff Insertions: An Anatomical Study. ANZ J Surg. 2012;82(12):928-34. doi:10.1111/j.1445-2197.2012.06250.x - Pubmed
- 5. Burkhart S, Esch J, Jolson R. The Rotator Crescent and Rotator Cable: An Anatomic Description of the Shoulder's “suspension Bridge”. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery. 1993;9(6):611-6. doi:10.1016/s0749-8063(05)80496-7
- 6. Clark J & Harryman D. Tendons, Ligaments, and Capsule of the Rotator Cuff. Gross and Microscopic Anatomy. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1992;74(5):713-25. - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
-
skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- hand
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
-
accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os epitriquetrum
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
-
pectoral girdle
-
shoulder joint
- articulations
- associated structures
- joint capsule
- bursae
- ligaments
- movements
- scapulothoracic joint
-
glenohumeral joint
- arm flexion
- arm extension
- arm abduction
- arm adduction
- arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
- arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
- circumduction
- arterial supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centers
-
shoulder joint
-
elbow joint
- proximal radioulnar joint
- ligaments
- associated structures
- movements
- alignment
- arterial supply - elbow anastomosis
- development
-
wrist joint
- articulations
-
ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
- extrinsic ligaments
- radioscaphoid ligament
- dorsal intercarpal ligament
- dorsal radiotriquetral ligament
- dorsal radioulnar ligament
- volar radioulnar ligament
- radioscaphocapitate ligament
- long radiolunate ligament
- Vickers ligament
- short radiolunate ligament
- ulnolunate ligament
- ulnotriquetral ligament
- ulnocapitate ligament
- ulnar collateral ligament
- associated structures
- extensor retinaculum
- flexor retinaculum
- joint capsule
- movements
- alignment
- ossification centers
-
hand joints
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
-
metacarpophalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
-
interphalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
- movements
- ossification centers
- articulations
-
pectoral girdle
- spaces of the upper limb
- muscles of the upper limb
- shoulder girdle
- anterior compartment of the arm
- posterior compartment of the arm
-
anterior compartment of the forearm
- superficial
- intermediate
- deep
-
posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
- superficial
- deep
- muscles of the hand
-
accessory muscles
- elbow
- volar wrist midline
- palmaris longus profundus
- aberrant palmaris longus
- volar wrist radial-side
- accessory flexor digitorum superficialis indicis
- flexor indicis profundus
- flexor carpi radialis vel profundus
- accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus (Gantzer muscle, common)
- volar wrist ulnar-side
- dorsal wrist
- blood supply to the upper limb
-
arteries
- subclavian artery (mnemonic)
- axillary artery
- brachial artery (proximal portion)
- ulnar artery
- radial artery
- veins
-
arteries
- innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
-
brachial plexus (mnemonic)
- branches from the roots
- branches from the trunks
- branches from the cords
- lateral cord
- posterior cord
- medial cord
- terminal branches
- lymphatic drainage of the upper limb