Glenohumeral ligaments
Last revised by Yahya Baba on 25 Jan 2023
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Knipe H, Baba Y, Luong D, et al. Glenohumeral ligaments. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 07 Dec 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-29731
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rID:
29731
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At the time the article was created Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosuresLast revised:
25 Jan 2023, Yahya Baba ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Yahya Baba had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Yahya Baba's current disclosuresRevisions:
22 times, by 16 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
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Synonyms:
- Glenohumeral ligament
- Glenohumeral ligament (GHL)
- Inferior glenohumeral ligament complex
- SGHL
- MGHL
- IGHL complex
- IGHL
- Inferior glenohumeral ligament
- Middle glenohumeral ligament
- Superior glenohumeral ligament
There are three glenohumeral ligaments (GHL), which are thickenings of the glenohumeral joint capsule and are important passive stabilizers of the joint.
On this page:
Gross anatomy
Superior glenohumeral ligament
- runs from the superior aspect of the glenoid and coracoid process to the superior part of the lesser tuberosity of the humerus at the medial edge of the intertubercular fossa
- initially anterior then anteroinferior to the long head of the biceps tendon; stabilizes the biceps brachii tendon 3
Middle glenohumeral ligament
- runs from the anterosuperior glenoid, arising just inferior to the superior GHL, to the anterior proximal humeral below the superior GHL attachment at the base of the lesser tuberosity 6
Inferior glenohumeral ligament
- sometimes referred to as the inferior glenohumeral ligament complex 4
- runs from the inferior two-thirds of the glenoid labrum and/or neck to the inferior aspect of the anatomical humeral neck
- composed of three parts
- anterior band
- posterior band
- axillary pouch: laxity between anterior and posterior bands
- most important of the three GHLs as it prevents dislocation at the extreme range of motion and is the main stabilizer of the abducted shoulder 1,4
Spiral glenohumeral ligament
- also referred to as fasciculus obliquus 5
- runs from the infraglenoid tubercle and triceps tendon to the lesser tubercle of the humerus where it shares an insertion with the subscapularis tendon
- not well-known, but consistently demonstrated on both anatomic dissection and MR arthrography 5
Variant anatomy
- superior GHL is almost always present (97%) but has a variable origin
- arises with biceps brachii tendon
- arises with middle GHL
- middle GHL is variable in size and appearance 1 and absent in 30% 3
- forms part of the Buford complex
Related pathology
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Wolfgang Dähnert. Radiology Review Manual. (2011) ISBN: 9781609139438 - Google Books
- 2. Beltran J, Rosenberg Z, Chandnani V, Cuomo F, Beltran S, Rokito A. Glenohumeral Instability: Evaluation with MR Arthrography. Radiographics. 1997;17(3):657-73. doi:10.1148/radiographics.17.3.9153704 - Pubmed
- 3. Philip Robinson. Essential Radiology for Sports Medicine. (2010) ISBN: 9781441959720 - Google Books
- 4. Charles A. Rockwood. The Shoulder. (2009) ISBN: 9781416034278 - Google Books
- 5. Merila M, Leibecke T, Gehl HB et-al. The anterior glenohumeral joint capsule: macroscopic and MRI anatomy of the fasciculus obliquus or so-called ligamentum glenohumerale spirale. Eur Radiol. 2004;14 (8): 1421-6. doi:10.1007/s00330-004-2296-2 - Pubmed citation
- 6. Bencardino J & Beltran J. MR Imaging of the Glenohumeral Ligaments. Radiol Clin North Am. 2006;44(4):489-502. doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2006.04.004 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Anterior shoulder dislocation
- Subscapularis tendon tear
- Glenoid
- Biceps pulley injury
- Rotator cuff interval
- Inferior shoulder dislocation
- Subcoracoid impingement
- Shoulder
- Comma sign of subscapularis tear
- Medical abbreviations and acronyms (S)
- Glenohumeral joint
- Foramen of Rouviere
- Long head of biceps tendon
- MRI of the shoulder (an approach)
- Scapula
- Spiral glenohumeral ligament
- Anterior labroligamentous periosteal sleeve avulsion lesion
- Medical abbreviations and acronyms (G)
- Shoulder ligaments
- Bennett lesion of the shoulder
Cases:
- Humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL lesion)
- Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder
- Buford complex (MR arthrogram)
- Humeral avulsion of the posterior band of glenohumeral ligament
- Buford complex
- Buford complex
- Buford complex
- Glenoid avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament
- Glenolabral articular disruption lesion (GLAD)
- Humeral avulsion of glenohumeral ligament (illustration)
- Bony humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (BHAGL) lesion (illustration)
- Adhesive capsulitis with rotator cuff tendinopathy
- Buford complex
- Adhesive capsulitis: shoulder
- Middle glenohumeral ligament injury
- Trough fracture and reverse Bankart lesion
- Inferior and middle glenohumeral ligament tears
- Humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL)
- Shoulder anatomy on ultrasound
Multiple choice questions:
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
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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
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accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
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pectoral girdle
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shoulder joint
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glenohumeral joint
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elbow joint
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wrist joint
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ligaments
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hand joints
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metacarpophalangeal joints
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interphalangeal joints
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anterior compartment of the forearm
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posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
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accessory muscles
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arteries
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arteries
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