Superior Sublabral Recess

The superior sublabral recess is a synovial recess between the superior labrum and the glenoid rim created by the attachment of the biceps tendon on the supraglenoid tubercie. Because of this recess, the labrum does not attach to the glenoid rim at the 12 o'clock position.

The size of this recess is variable, and has been classified into various types by different authors. One scheme divides the sublabral recess into 3 types. In a type 1 attachment, the labral-bicipital complex is firmly attached to the glenoid rim and an arthroscopic probe cannot be inserted between the labrum and the glenoid. A type 2 attachment has a small sulcus between the labrum and the glenoid rim, while a type III attachment has a deep sulcus between the labrum and the glenoid rim that allows a probe to be inserted between the two.

The superior sublabral recess can be continuous with the sublabral foramen.

References

• Cooper DE, Arnoczky SP, O'Brien SJ, Warren RF, DiCarlo E, Allen AA. Anatomy, histology, and vascularity of the glenoid labrum. An anatomical study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1992 Jan;74(1):46-52.
• De Maeseneer M, Van Roy F, Lenchik L, Shahabpour M, Jacobson J, Ryu KN, Handelberg F, Osteaux M. CT and MR arthrography of the normal and pathologic anterosuperior labrum and labral-bicipital complex. Radiographics. 2000 Oct;20 Spec No:S67-81.
• Kreitner KF, Botchen K, Rude J, Bittinger F, Krummenauer F, Thelen M. Superior labrum and labral-bicipital complex: MR imaging with pathologic-anatomic and histologic correlation. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1998 Mar;170(3):599-605.
• Kwak SM, Brown RR, Resnick D, Trudell D, Applegate GR, Haghighi P. Anatomy, anatomic variations, and pathology of the 11- to 3-o'clock position of the glenoid labrum: findings on MR arthrography and anatomic sections. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1998 Jul;171(1):235-8.
• Smith DK, Chopp TM, Aufdemorte TB, Witkowski EG, Jones RC. Sublabral recess of the superior glenoid labrum: study of cadavers with conventional nonenhanced MR imaging, MR arthrography, anatomic dissection, and limited histologic examination. Radiology. 1996 Oct;201(1):251-6.