Rotator cuff interval
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Elfeky M, Jabaz D, Worsley C, et al. Rotator cuff interval. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 17 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-1996
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rID:
1996
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Mostafa Elfeky had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Mostafa Elfeky's current disclosures
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Synonyms:
- Rotator interval
The rotator cuff interval is a triangular space between the tendons of subscapularis and supraspinatus and the base of the coracoid process.
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Gross anatomy
The combination of the coracohumeral ligament and superior glenohumeral ligament has a complex relationship with the long head of biceps tendon (LHB), acting together to prevent subluxation or anterior dislocation of the LHB.
Boundaries
- anterior: posterior aspect of the subscapularis tendon
- posterior: anterior border of the supraspinatus tendon
- medial: lateral margin of the base of the coracoid process
- roof: the rotator interval capsule, reinforced by:
- coracohumeral ligament
Contents
- tendon of the long head of biceps brachii
- superior glenohumeral ligament
History and etymology
It was first defined by C S Neer in 1970 3.
Related pathology
- rotator interval tear
- long head of biceps tendon dislocation
- rotator interval changes in adhesive capsulitis
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Krief O. MRI of the Rotator Interval Capsule. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005;184(5):1490-4. doi:10.2214/ajr.184.5.01841490 - Pubmed
- 2. Petchprapa C, Beltran L, Jazrawi L, Kwon Y, Babb J, Recht M. The Rotator Interval: A Review of Anatomy, Function, and Normal and Abnormal MRI Appearance. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010;195(3):567-76. doi:10.2214/AJR.10.4406 - Pubmed
- 3. Frank R, Taylor D, Verma N, Romeo A, Mologne T, Provencher M. The Rotator Interval of the Shoulder: Implications in the Treatment of Shoulder Instability. Orthop J Sports Med. 2015;3(12):2325967115621494. doi:10.1177/2325967115621494 - Pubmed
- 4. Tamborrini G, Möller I, Bong D et al. The Rotator Interval - A Link Between Anatomy and Ultrasound. Ultrasound Int Open. 2017;3(3):E107-16. doi:10.1055/s-0043-110473 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Biceps brachii muscle
- Coracoacromial arch
- Subscapularis tendon tear
- Biceps pulley injury
- Shoulder protocol (MRI)
- Massive rotator cuff tear
- Glenohumeral joint injection (technique)
- Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder
- Ultrasound of the shoulder
- Long head of biceps tendon dislocation
- Subacromial-subdeltoid bursa
- Biceps pulley
- Glenoid labrum
- Long head of biceps tendon
- Supraspinatus tendon tear
- MRI of the shoulder (an approach)
- Coracohumeral ligament
- Rotator cuff
- Rotator cuff tear
Cases:
Multiple choice questions:
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