Greater Tubercle Of The Humerus, Anterior View

Description

Greater tubercle of the humerus dominates the lateral aspect of the proximal arm bone in this anterior view, positioned just lateral to the intertubercular (bicipital) groove and superior to the surgical neck. The lesser tubercle sits more anterior and medial, creating the margins of the groove where the tendon of the long head of biceps brachii normally tracks as it exits the shoulder joint. Proximal to these prominences, the humeral head and anatomical neck are partially appreciated, with the greater tubercle forming the lateral contour that faces the acromion in the coronal plane. Bone surface relief is emphasized over soft tissue. Rotator cuff anatomy anchors here. The superior, middle, and inferior facets of the greater tubercle accept the insertions of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor, and their relationship to the bicipital groove helps explain why anterosuperior cuff tears can destabilize the long head of biceps tendon and contribute to biceps tendinopathy. Fractures of the proximal humerus often include greater tuberosity avulsion or displacement, and even a few millimeters of superior migration can narrow the subacromial space, producing painful impingement during abduction and limiting external rotation strength. A practical landmark. Use this illustration in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal medicine teaching when you need students to orient the proximal humerus in anatomical position, or in orthopedic and sports medicine texts discussing rotator cuff insertional pathology, proximal humeral fracture patterns, and surgical planning for open reduction and internal fixation or arthroplasty. It also suits patient-facing shoulder education where the term “greater tuberosity” appears in radiology reports. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.