Morphological and Morphometric Variations of the Glenoid Cavity of the Human Scapula: A Descriptive Osteometric Study
Keywords:
Glenoid cavity, Glenoid cavity index, Morphometry, Scapula, Shoulder arthroplastyAbstract
Background: The glenoid cavity varies considerably in outline and dimensions. Knowledge of this variation is important for shoulder arthroplasty, the management of recurrent glenohumeral instability and the design of glenoid prosthetic components, particularly in populations with limited normative data. Methods: Sixty dry, intact adult human scapulae of unknown age and sex (30 right, 30 left) were examined. The shape of the glenoid cavity was classified by macroscopic inspection as pear-shaped, inverted comma-shaped or oval, based on the configuration of the anterior margin and the glenoid notch. The supero-inferior (height) and antero-posterior (width) diameters were measured with a digital vernier caliper, and the glenoid cavity index (width/height × 100) was calculated. Right and left sides were compared with the independent-samples Student t-test. Results: The glenoid cavity was pear-shaped in 27 specimens (45%), inverted comma-shaped in 21 (35%) and oval in 12 (20%). The mean supero-inferior diameter was 36.42 ± 2.65 mm on the right and 35.81 ± 2.48 mm on the left (p = 0.36); the mean antero-posterior diameter was 25.24 ± 2.10 mm and 24.65 ± 1.95 mm, respectively (p = 0.26). The glenoid cavity index was similar on the two sides (69.3% right, 68.8% left). Conclusion: The pear shape was the most common variant, and the inverted comma shape was more frequent than in most other Indian series. Glenoid dimensions did not differ significantly between sides and lie within the range reported for other Indian populations. These data provide a regional osteometric reference for shoulder arthroplasty planning and glenoid prosthesis design.
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