Morphometric Study of the Human Bicipital Groove and its Clinical Implications in Shoulder Impingement Syndromes

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 293–304

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000192

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Morphometric Study of the Human Bicipital Groove and its Clinical Implications in Shoulder Impingement Syndromes

Names of Authors: Chukwudi I. Amadi¹, Oluwaseun A. Olatunji²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; ²Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Shagamu, Nigeria

Abstract:
The bicipital groove of the humerus houses the long head of the biceps brachii tendon, a structure frequently implicated in chronic shoulder pain and instability. This study aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics of the bicipital groove within an African population to understand structural predispositions to tendon disease. Eighty dry human humeri (40 right and 40 left) of unknown sex were examined. Digital vernier calipers and a goniometer were used to measure the length, width, depth, and medial wall angle of the groove. The mean length of the groove was 52.4 ± 3.8 mm, the mean width was 10.2 ± 1.4 mm, and the mean depth was 4.8 ± 0.6 mm. The average medial wall angle was 48.5° ± 5.2°. Supratuberculous ridges of Meyer were identified in 18.5% of the specimens, which significantly reduced the effective depth of the proximal groove. A shallow groove depth (less than 3.0 mm) combined with a wide wall angle was strongly associated with a higher likelihood of long head biceps tendon subluxation. Statistical analysis showed no significant variations between right and left sides (p > 0.05). These quantitative parameters provide essential baseline dimensions for shoulder arthroplasty design and guide orthopaedic surgeons in managing biceps tendon pathologies and subacromial impingement syndromes.

Keywords: Bicipital Groove, Humerus, Biceps Tendon, Morphometry, Shoulder Impingement, Anatomical Variations

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 24, 2026; Revised: September 02, 2026; Accepted: September 15, 2026; Published: September 30, 2026

Citation: Amadi C.I., & Olatunji O.A. (2026). Morphometric Study of the Human Bicipital Groove and its Clinical Implications in Shoulder Impingement Syndromes. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, 15(9), 293–304. DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000192

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