Sublabral recess of the superior glenoid labrum: study of cadavers with conventional nonenhanced MR imaging, MR arthrography, anatomic dissection, and limited histologic examination.

Abstract

A sublabral recess is common in cadaveric shoulders and has an appearance similar to that of published examples of SLAP lesions. Histologic findings were consistent with normal anatomic structure rather than with acquired, posttraumatic lesions.

The anatomy of the superior labrum and biceps origin in the fetal shoulder

“…In a cadaveric study in which CT arthrogram and MR imaging were compared with macroscopic dissection of the labrobicipital complex, Waldt et al (2006) observed significant variability in the attachment of the superior labrum to the glenoid and a sublabral recess in 74% of cases. Other studies have demonstrated similar findings in up to 73% of specimens (Smith et al, 1996;Harzmann et al, 2003). Smith et al (1996) described a classification system outlining the different degrees of extension of the sublabral recess, from its absence (type I) to extension over 5 mm medially (type 4).…”

“…In this instance, the labrobicipital complex has been described as loosely attached to the glenoid rim in a fashion analogous to the lateral meniscus in the knee. There have been varying depths of medial extension of the cleft observed (Smith et al, 1996;Waldt et al, 2006). The incidence of this anatomical variation may be more common than previously thought (Smith et al, 1996;Kreitner et al, 1998;Waldt et al, 2006).…”

“…There have been varying depths of medial extension of the cleft observed (Smith et al, 1996;Waldt et al, 2006). The incidence of this anatomical variation may be more common than previously thought (Smith et al, 1996;Kreitner et al, 1998;Waldt et al, 2006). In a cadaveric study in which CT arthrogram and MR imaging were compared with macroscopic dissection of the labrobicipital complex, Waldt et al (2006) observed significant variability in the attachment of the superior labrum to the glenoid and a sublabral recess in 74% of cases.…”

“…However, a variant of biceps-labral complex anatomy has been described. In this variant, a cleft has been observed beneath the superior and anterosuperior portion of the labrum (Cooper et al, 1992;Smith et al, 1996;Waldt et al, 2006), and this cleft has been termed as ''sublabral recess'' (Smith et al, 1996) (Fig. 1).…”

Anatomy, anatomic variations, and pathology of the 11- to 3-o'clock position of the glenoid labrum: findings on MR arthrography and anatomic sections.

“…2) The terms â€oe¿ sublabral foramen,― â€oe¿ sublabral hole' â€oe¿ sublabral sulcus' and â€oe¿ sublabral re cess―have been used interchangeably in the ra diology literatureto describe a normalanatomic variation of the anterosuperiorportion of the la brum [4]. We believe that these four terms are not the same and that their clarification is neces …”