[Classification of normal labral variants and labral injuries]

The glenoid labrum is an important stabilizer of the glenohumeral joint. Labral injuries affect the stability of the shoulder joint to varying degrees depending on the localization, the extension and the structures involved. Because of the complex anatomy and the high variability of the glenoid labrum, in-depth knowledge concerning normal variations and labral injury patterns is required as well as high-resolution imaging with intra-articular contrast in order to discriminate anatomical variants from pathological findings. Therefore, magnetic resonance (MR) and alternatively computed tomography (CT) arthrography have become established as the imaging methods of choice. In this review MR arthrographic findings of normal labral variants and different labral injury patterns are portrayed.