Glenoid Labrum
Original Editor - Priyanka Chugh
Top Contributors - Priyanka Chugh, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton, Naomi O'Reilly, Wendy Snyders, 127.0.0.1 and Wanda van Niekerk
Description[edit | edit source]
The glenoid labrum (glenoid ligament) is a fibrocartilaginous rim attached around the margin of the glenoid cavity in the shoulder blade. The shoulder joint is considered a ball and socket joint. However, in bony terms the 'socket' (the glenoid fossa of the scapula) is quite shallow and small, covering at most only a third of the 'ball' (the head of the humerus). The socket is deepened by the glenoid labrum.
The labrum is triangular in section, the base is fixed to the circumference of the cavity, while the free edge is thin and sharp.
It is continuous above with the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii, which gives off two fascicles to blend with the fibrous tissue of the labrum.[1]
Function[edit | edit source]
The glenoid labrum is similar to the meniscus of the knee. It is a fibro-cartilaginous rubbery structure which encircles the glenoid cavity deepening the socket providing static stability to the glenohumeral joint. It acts and looks almost like a washer, sealing the two sides of the joint together.The labrum is described like a clock face with 12 o'clock being at the top (superior), 3 o'clock at the front (anterior), 6 o'clock at the bottom (inferior) and 9 o'clock at the back (posterior). Clinicans may reverse the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock for left shoulder describing 3 o'clock at the back. This can be confusing, so the European Society of Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (SECEC) has agreed to keep 3 o'clock at the front for either shoulder.[2]
