Spiral Glenohumeral Ligament

Description

(A) Schematic illustration of the anterior ligaments of the shoulder. SGHL: superior glenohumeral ligament, MGHL: middle glenohumeral ligament, IGHL: anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament, spiral GHL: spiral glenohumeral ligament. (B) Sagittal oblique MR arthrogram image shows the fasciculus obliquus (thick white arrows, B), the frenula capsulae (synovial bands) (thin white arrows, B) and the middle glenohumeral ligament (black arrows, B)

Anterior capsular ligaments

Name

• Spiral Glenohumeral Ligament
• Fasciculus Obliquus
• Ligamentum Glenohumerale Spirale
• Spiral GHL

General

• Focal thickening of the glenohumeral joint capsule
• Makes up part of the glenohumeral ligament complex
• Not as well recognized or understood as other parts of the complex
• Not well understood, but consistently seen on anatomic dissection and MR arthrography

Gross Anatomy

• Origin: infraglenoid tubercle, triceps tendon
• Insert: lesser tubercle of humerus, shared insertion with subscapularis tendon

Radiographic Features

• When visualized, best seen as a hypointense structure on sagittal oblique and axial T1 PD weighted MR arthrography

---

Clinical Significance

• Glenohumeral Instability
• Glenohumeral Dislocation

---

See Also

• Physical Exam Shoulder
• Shoulder Anatomy (Main)
• Shoulder Pain (Main)

---