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Supraglenoid tubercle

The supraglenoid tubercle is a small but prominent bony projection located at the superior margin of the glenoid cavity of the scapula. It serves as a key attachment point for the long head of the biceps brachii tendon and contributes to the stability and biomechanics of the shoulder joint.

It is an important landmark in shoulder anatomy, sports medicine, trauma assessment, and imaging interpretation.

Synonyms

  • Supraglenoid tuberosity

  • Superior glenoid tubercle

Location

  • Situated at the superior rim of the glenoid cavity

  • Part of the lateral angle of the scapula

  • Inferior to the base of the coracoid process

  • Superior to the glenoid articular surface

  • Deep to the deltoid and rotator cuff tendons

Anatomical components

  • Osseous projection of the scapula

  • Cortical shell with underlying cancellous bone

  • Primary attachment site:

    • Tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii

  • Capsular attachment:

    • Superior glenohumeral joint capsule and labrum

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Coracoid process and subcoracoid space

Posteriorly:

  • Supraspinatus tendon and superior labrum

Superiorly:

  • Base of the coracoid process

Inferiorly:

  • Glenoid cavity and articular cartilage

Medially:

  • Scapular neck

Laterally:

  • Glenohumeral joint space

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP, scapular Y, and axillary views):

  • Supraglenoid tubercle: Subtle bony prominence at the superior margin of the glenoid

  • Visibility: Best appreciated on axillary and true AP views

  • Contour: Smooth cortical outline continuous with the scapula

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Tubercle: Clearly defined bony protuberance above the glenoid

  • Cortical margins: Smooth and sharply outlined

  • Trabecular pattern: Normal cancellous bone texture

  • Spatial assessment: Excellent for defining shape, orientation, and cortical detail

  • Relation to glenoid: Precisely demonstrated

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Marrow within tubercle: High signal intensity

  • Biceps anchor: Visualized attaching at the supraglenoid region

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortex: Low signal

  • Glenohumeral joint fluid: High signal outlining the superior glenoid

  • Biceps tendon: Low-signal linear structure arising from the tubercle

STIR:

  • Bone marrow: Uniform fat suppression

  • Tubercle margins: Well delineated

  • Adjacent soft tissues: Bright signal for joint fluid and tendon sheaths

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Suppressed fat signal

  • Biceps tendon: Low-signal band at its origin

  • Superior labrum and capsule: Well visualized

CT VRT 3D image

Supraglenoid tubercle

CT image

Supraglenoid tubercle ct