An anatomic study on the origin of the long head of the triceps brachii

BACKGROUND: Posterior shoulder instability was reported to be more common than had been previously reported. However, the detailed morphology of the origin of the long head of the triceps brachii (LHT), which is located at the posteroinferior part of the glenohumeral joint and associated with the stability of the head of the humerus, has been unknown. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the detailed morphology of the origin of the LHT. METHODS: A total of 64 specimens from 36 cadavers (11 males and 25 females) were used. After dissecting the origin of the LHT in 54 specimens of 27 cadavers, the width of the origin of the LHT was measured with a caliper by 2 observers. The origin of the LHT was also investigated histologically in 18 specimens. Sections were analyzed with Masson’s trichrome staining and Safranin O staining. RESULTS: Some fibers of the LHT originated more from the cranial area than from the infraglenoid tubercle and descended along the posterior rim of the glenoid cavity. The width of the origin on the dorsal surface of the scapula was 31.2 mm. The origin from the bone had a developed uncalcified fibrocartilage histologically. In addition, the LHT was fused with the glenohumeral joint capsule and was attached to the glenoid labrum directly. CONCLUSIONS: The LHT could affect the glenohumeral joint capsule or the glenoid labrum because of their connections to each other and be associated with the posterior shoulder instability indirectly.