Joints and ligaments · Upper limb
Transverse humeral ligament !
The transverse humeral ligament bridges the groove at the top of the humerus; it helps keep the long biceps tendon in its groove.
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What it is
A small band bridging the groove at the front of the humerus.
What it does
Helps keep the long biceps tendon in its groove.
Key facts
- Attaches
- Greater to lesser tubercle
- Function
- Holds the long biceps tendon in its groove
- Tight in
- Not joint-dependent
Relations
- Deep
- Long biceps tendon and the biceps tendon sheath, an outpouching of the shoulder joint lining
- Medial
- Lesser tubercle with the subscapularis tendon
- Lateral
- Greater tubercle
- Superficial
- Deltoid; lower down, the pectoralis major tendon inserting on the lateral lip of the groove
- Above
- Rotator interval with the coracohumeral ligament
How to find it
With the arm at the side and turned slightly outward, the bicipital groove faces forward a few finger-breadths below the acromion; rolling the arm in and out moves the tubercles and the tendon under the fingers.
Examination
- Speed test: resisted forward flexion with the elbow straight and the forearm supinated; pain in the groove suggests biceps tendinopathy
- Yergason test: elbow at 90°, resisted supination; pain or a palpable snap in the groove suggests biceps tendinopathy or instability
On imaging
Dynamic ultrasound in short axis is the best bedside study: the tendon should stay in the groove during external rotation; an empty groove or a tendon riding over the lesser tubercle means subluxation or dislocation. MRI shows the pulley and the subscapularis.
Clinical notes
- Biceps tenodesis fixes the tendon in or below the groove (suprapectoral or subpectoral), often after the tendon is cut at the top of the groove
- Pain in the groove usually comes from the tendon (tendinopathy, instability) rather than from the ligament itself
Related conditions
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which tendon does the transverse humeral ligament cover?
The long biceps tendon in the intertubercular groove, between the greater and lesser tubercles.
What mainly prevents medial dislocation of the long biceps tendon?
The biceps pulley (SGHL, coracohumeral ligament) and the subscapularis, not the transverse humeral ligament alone.
Which artery runs in the bicipital groove under the transverse humeral ligament and bleeds in biceps tenodesis?
The ascending branch of the anterior circumflex humeral artery.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- ligamentum transversum humeri TA2 1771
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Ligamento transverso del húmero
- English (TA2)
- Transverse humeral ligament
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Glenohumeral Joint; Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Shoulder.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
