The Glenoid Fossa: Shape, Inclination ans Version in Thais

Abstract

A study of the glenoid fossa in Thais was carried out in ninety five normal shoulders in cadavers from the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. The mean age of the cadavers at the time of death was 69.8 years. In order to provide basic structural information of the glenoid orientation in adult Thais, the work was done by using a custom-made scapula holder which kept the scapula the scapula in position in which the reference line superimposed with the axis of the scapula. The angular measurement performed by using a goniometer placed contact on both rims of the glenoid and center was superimposed with the reference line. Most of the scapulae, 85%, showed in upward inclination with the value of +6.7° ± 3.4° (mean ± SD) and 13% scapulae tilted downward with -3.7° ± 1.9°. In a horizontal orientation, 81% of the scapulae faced backward (retroversion) with -5.5° ± 3.0° and 16% facing forward (anteroversion) with +3.8° ± 1.6°. The similar figures were also found in the scapula male and female cadavers; 8.5% of male scapulae had an upward inclination with +6.3° ± 3.3° and 13% a downward inclination with -3.7° ± 1.9°. Glenoid retroversion was found in 78% of male scapulae (-4.9° ± 2.7°) and 86% in the female scapulae (-6.1° ± 3.2°). The glenoid anterversion was found in 20% of male scapulae (+4° ± 1.5°) and 12% in female scapulae (+3.5° ± 1.9°). Statistacal analysis between genders and side showed no significant difference, nor a correlation to the dominatarm.