ROTATOR CUFF ANATOMY

ROTATOR CUFF ANATOMY.

The rotator cuff consists of four muscles; the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor muscles. The supraspinatus muscle originates from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula and passes on the superior aspect of the humeral head to be inserted in the greater tuberosity. The infraspinatus muscle originates from the infraspinous fossa and shares a common tendinous insertion with the supraspinatus tendon on the greater tuberosity; together with the tendon of teres minor muscle. On the other hand, the subscapularis muscle originates from the subscapular fossa of the scapula and its wide tendon inserts in the lesser tuberosity, separated from the insertion of the other rotator muscles by the rotator interval.

The long head of biceps tendon is anatomically and functionally related to the rotator cuff. The tendon arises from the supraglenoid tubercle and its proximal segment (2-3 cm) is intra-articular. It exits the gleno-humeral joint and passes through the rotator interval between the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendons into the bicipital (intertubercular) groove of the proximal humerus.

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