MORPHOMETRY OF HUMAN SCAPULA GLENOID FOSSA AND ITS SURGICAL ANATOMY: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN EASTERN ODISHA

Introduction: Scapulae bear a shallow articular concave fossa commonly known as glenoid cavity that accommodates the head of the humerus to form a shoulder joint.  The size and shape of glenoid fossa is highly variable; hence, knowledge about morphological measurements is invariably essential for surgery and artificial prosthesis pertaining to shoulder joint pathology. Aim: Glenoid fossa morphometry to study its various shapes and diameters in dry human scapulae.  Materials and Methods: Dry bone scapulae were obtained from the bone room of the post-graduate department of Anatomy S.C.B Medical College Cuttack. Ninety-seven samples were studied, out of which 45 belonged to the right side and 52 left sides. All the measurements were carried out by verniers caliper for the height of glenoid fossa (A =A1+ A2) and breadth (B = B1+B2).  A Goniometer measured the glenoidal version. Observation: The oval shape was the most common glenoid fossa observed, amounting 42(43.3%). The mean value for length with Standard Deviation was 31.5±3.16 millimeters and the mean and standard deviation Breadth was 21.99±2.76 millimeters, respectively. The glenoidal versions were 0.822±3.120 (range +6 to -6) for right side, 0.134±2.63 (range +5 to -8) left side and 0.30±2.89 (range +6 to -8) in total. Conclusion: The knowledge of glenoidal dimensions is very helpful to hand surgeons and orthopedic surgeons for surgical treatment of shoulder joint and properly designing the prosthesis. The glenoidal anatomy is also essential for physiotherapist to select appropriate exercise as a noninvasive procedure for glenohumeral disease.