Crest Of The Lesser Tubercle Of The Humerus In Anterior View

Description

Crest of the lesser tubercle (crista tuberculi minoris) rises along the anterior proximal humerus as the medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus, positioned medial to the bicipital groove and inferior to the lesser tubercle itself. From this anterior perspective, the lesser tubercle sits medial to the greater tubercle, while the intertubercular sulcus descends between them toward the proximal shaft. The ridge continues distally from the tubercular region toward the anterior surface of the humeral diaphysis, with the anatomical neck and the transition toward the surgical neck readable as changes in contour just inferior to the tubercles. Bony landmarks are crisp. For shoulder and upper arm anatomy, this crest matters because it anchors the proximal relationship between the rotator cuff and the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii as it courses within the intertubercular sulcus. Teres major classically inserts on the medial lip, and surgeons use the groove and its lips as orientation during the deltopectoral approach when assessing biceps tendon pathology, rotator cuff tears, and proximal humerus fractures involving the tubercles. In an anterior view, the medial versus lateral lip distinction stays unambiguous, which helps when teaching why the bicipital tendon sheath and transverse humeral ligament region can be a pain generator in bicipital tendinopathy and tenosynovitis. Use this illustration in gross anatomy and osteology labs to label the proximal humerus, in orthopaedic teaching files for proximal humeral fracture patterns and tubercle displacement, and in surgical atlases covering shoulder arthroplasty exposure and landmark-based orientation at the intertubercular sulcus. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.