Blood supply and vascularity of the glenoid labrum: Its clinical implications

Abstract

Background: Tears of the glenoid labrum are common after dislocation of the glenohumeral joint. The outcome for healing or surgical reconstruction of the glenoid labrum relies on the extent of its vascularization. This study aims to evaluate the glenoid labrum blood supply and to determine its regional vascularity. Materials and Methods: A total of 140 shoulders (30 male and 40 female cadavers) were examined: mean age 81.5 years, range 53–101 years. All blood vessels around the glenohumeral joint were dissected and recorded. Ten specimens with the glenoid labrum and fibrous capsule attached were randomly selected and detached at the glenoid neck and subjected to decalcification. Sections (10–20 μm) were cut through the whole thickness of each specimen from the centre of the glenoid fossa perpendicular to the glenoid labrum at 12 radii corresponding to a clock face superimposed on the glenoid. Sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin and then examined. Results: The blood supply to the glenoid labrum is by direct branches from the second part of the axillary artery, subscapular, circumflex scapular and anterior circumflex humeral and posterior circumflex humeral arteries, as well as branches of muscular arteries supplying the surrounding muscles. Conclusion: This study shows that the glenoid labrum has a rich blood supply suggesting that, regardless of the types of the glenoid labrum lesions or their management, an excellent outcome for glenoid labrum healing and joint stability is possible. The observations also suggest that the blood supply to the glenoid labrum is sufficient, enabling its reattachment.

Is Anatomical Healing Essential for Better Clinical Outcome in Type II SLAP Repair? Clinico-Radiological Outcome after Type II SLAP Repair

“…Vascularity is less in the anterior and superior glenoid. 24) Basic science studies have shown that vascularity increases at the site of stress due to stress-induced angiogenesis. 25 26) Thus, we assumed that the long head of biceps in OHA patients exert increased stress at the superior glenoid attachment and the vascularity of superior glenoid may be better in these patients due to angiogenesis-related improvement of blood flow perfusion.…”

Superior and Anterior Glenoid Labral Tears Are Associated With Increased Neurofilament Concentration

“…The superior labrum has significantly more varied vascular supply than do the anterior and inferior labra, receiving blood supply from the ascending glenoid artery, suprascapular artery, circumflex scapular artery, and the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries. 1 In contrast, the anterior, posterior, and inferior regions primarily receive blood supply from only 2 to 3 arteries. 1 The anterior superior portion of the glenoid labrum has also been reported to be less vascular compared with other regions of the labrum.…”

“…1 In contrast, the anterior, posterior, and inferior regions primarily receive blood supply from only 2 to 3 arteries. 1 The anterior superior portion of the glenoid labrum has also been reported to be less vascular compared with other regions of the labrum. 6 We hypothesized that these differences in anatomy might also be reflected in differences in nerve distribution, but this was not the case.…”