Significance of the latissimus dorsi for shoulder instability. I. Variations in its anatomy around the humerus and scapula.

In a cadaveric instability model that leaves all muscles intact initially, we studied anteroinferior glenohumeral dislocation behavior after section of the ligaments on the humeral side of the joint. In this study, the latissimus dorsi seemed to play a role when complete section did not result in a locked anteroinferior dislocation. We therefore initiated a study to test the hypothesis that the latissimus dorsi may, in certain circumstances, depending on variations in its anatomy, influence dislocation behavior. Here, in Part I, we present the results of the anatomic study of latissimus dorsi and its tendons. The anatomy of the latissimus dorsi pertaining to the scapula and humerus was studied in 100 cadaver specimens. The distance between the uppermost part of the tendon of both the latissimus dorsi and the teres major and the edge of the articular cartilage of the humeral head (tendon-cartilage distance, TCD) as well as the width and length of the tendons were measured. Furthermore, the relationship between latissimus dorsi and the inferior angle of the scapula was studied. The tendon of the latissimus dorsi inserted at a variable distance from the cartilage of the humeral head: the TCD ranged from 12.6 to 31.6 mm (mean 21.06 mm+/-5.11 mm). The latissimus dorsi can have muscular fibers arising from the inferior angle of the scapula (type 1 scapular connection, 43%). Alternatively, there may be only a few fibrous strands between the muscle and the scapula or there may be an intervening bursa (type 2 scapular connection, 57%). This variability in the morphology of the latissimus dorsi may be a factor explaining the differences observed in a study of humerus-based sequential cutting of the glenohumeral capsule. This possibility is explored in Part II of the study. The latissimus dorsi may also complete the tendinous protection of the humeral side of the capsule generally provided by the rotator cuff.