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# Transverse humeral ligament

The transverse humeral ligament bridges the groove at the top of the [humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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 points

- Whether it is a separate ligament is debated: many studies describe it as fibres continuing from the subscapularis tendon and the coracohumeral ligament
- Medial dislocation of the long biceps tendon depends mainly on the biceps pulley ([SGHL](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-glenohumeral-ligament/), coracohumeral ligament) and the [subscapularis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/subscapularis/), not on this ligament alone
- The ascending branch of the anterior circumflex humeral artery runs up the groove beside the tendon, a landmark and bleeding point in biceps tenodesis

## 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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-the-long-head-of-biceps/) and the [biceps tendon sheath](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/intertubercular-tendon-sheath/), an outpouching of the shoulder joint lining

**Medial**
Lesser tubercle with the [subscapularis tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/subscapularis-tendon/)

**Lateral**
Greater tubercle

**Superficial**
Deltoid; lower down, the [pectoralis major tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pectoralis-major-tendon/) inserting on the lateral lip of the groove

**Above**
Rotator interval with the [coracohumeral ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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

- [Biceps tendon rupture](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/biceps-tendon-rupture/)

## 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.

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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

- [Long biceps tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-the-long-head-of-biceps/)
- [Humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Glenohumeral Joint](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537018/); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Shoulder](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536933/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/transverse-humeral-ligament/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/transverse-humeral-ligament/