Correlation study on anatomical parameters of bicipital groove and retroversion angle of humeral head

Introduction: This research was to study the anatomical features of the retroversion angle of humeral heads (RA) and the bicipital groove among Asian population using CT and to make correlation between RA and two parameters of bicipital groove. The two parameters of bicipital groove were the distance between bicipital groove and the central axis of humeral head (Distance D), and bicipital groove orientation. Methods: Twenty dry adult humeral specimens from an anatomy department of a medical college underwent spiral CT scan. RA and the two anthropometric parameters of the bicipital groove on transverse plane including the initial part of the bicipital groove (IP slice), the plane where the humeral head had the largest diameter (LD slice), and the surgical neck (SN slice) were measured. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the features of the parameters and the correlation coefficient between these parameters. Results: The average RA was 32.10 +/- 14.10 (range: 0.43-54.69) without statistical difference between the left and the right side. Both the correlation coefficient between Distance D and RA and the correlation coefficient between bicipital groove orientation and RA were significantly negative on IP slices and insignificantly negative on LD slices. On SN slices, the correlation coefficient between Distance D and RA was negative without statistical difference (P=0.06); the correlation coefficient between bicipital groove orientation and RA was significantly negative (P=0.027). Conclusions: There was a negative correlation between Distance D and RA, and between bicipital groove orientation and RA. These anatomical data are probably helpful for orthopedic surgery.