Morphometric Study on Bicipital Groove among South Indian Population

Introduction: The Bicipital Groove (BG) is an indentation between the lesser and greater tubercles of the proximal part of the humerus. It conveys biceps tendon, its synovial sheath and ascending branch of anterior circumflex humeral artery. The knowledge of the morphometry is important for the understanding of the functional aspect of the shoulder region. Aim: To study the morphometry of bicipital groove of humerus in south Indian population. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 100 adult humeri (50 right and 50 left) were examined. The length of the medial wall, lateral wall, width and depth were measured by using vernier calliper. The humeri were examined for the presence of supratubercular ridge. All the parameters were accurately measured and the data were analysed. Results: The mean length of BG on right side was 84.79 +/- 5.84 mm and 87.33 +/- 6.40mm on the left side. The mean width of BG on right side was 6.84 +/- 1.01mm and 7.74 +/- 1.96mm on the left side. The mean depth of BG on right side was 4.21 +/- 0.58 mm and 5.01 +/- 1.05mm on the left side. The mean length of the medial and lateral walls on the right side was 24.22 +/- 1.02mm and 32.05 +/- 2.21mm respectively and that on the left side was 23.31 +/- 2.21mm and 31.12 +/- 0.24mm respectively. 17% of humeri on the right side and 14% on the left side showed the presence of supratubercular ridge of Meyer in the present study. Conclusion: Bicipital groove is present in the shoulder region where wide range of movements occurs. Osseous spurs and supratubercular ridge may predispose dislocation of tendon of biceps brachii. Hence morphometric knowledge is obligatory and is significant functionally and clinically for better understanding of this region.