TY  - JOUR
A1  - ,  
T1  - Quantitative study of the architecture of the human subacromial space and its relationship with rotator cuff tears
JO  - Eur. J. Anat.
SN  - 1136-4890
Y1  - 2008
VL  - 12
SP  - 39
EP  - 45
UR  - http://www.eurjanat.com/web/paper.php?id=08010039
KW  - acromion
KW  - analytic method
KW  - anatomical variation
KW  - anatomy
KW  - article
KW  - comparative anatomy
KW  - controlled study
KW  - human
KW  - human experiment
KW  - morphology
KW  - muscle injury
KW  - normal human
KW  - quantitative study
KW  - rotator cuff rupture
KW  - scapula
KW  - space
KW  - subacromial space
N2  - Rotator cuff tears usually cause a grinding facet in the undersurface of the acromion, called facies articularis acromialis, which is observable in dried scapulas. Some authors have related the pathogenesis of rotator cuff tears to an intrinsic degeneration of the cuff, while others have indicated that this pathology would be due to subacromial impingement. Some of the latter suggest that rotator cuff tears are associated with a narrowing of the subacromial space, mainly related to variations in the anatomy of the acromion. In order to obtain more information about the pathogenesis of rotator cuff tears we studied several anatomical parameters related to the architecture of the subacromial space in 112 human scapulas, divided into a healthy group and a pathological group depending on the lack or presence of a facies articularis acromialis in the undersurface of the acromion. The results obtained have not allowed us to identify significant differences in the different parameters studied in the two groups, not even in those related to the anatomy of the acromion. Our results, however, do allow us to suggest that rotator cuff tears seem to be more related to a primary degeneration of the cuff itself rather than to the anatomical characteristics of the subacromial space.
ER  -