Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
The Glenoid Vault Outer Cortex a new more accurate radiological reference for shoulder arthroplasty
Simon A Hurst1, Lorenzo Merlini2, Ulrich Hansen3
1Avicenne Teaching Hospital, 125 rue Stalingrad, Bobigny, 93000 Paris, France - Université Paris Sorbonne Nord, Campus de Bobigny, 1, rue de Chablis, Bobigny, 93000 Paris, France - Imperial College, St Mary's Hospital Campus, Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Building, Praed Street, W2 1NY London, UK.
Introduction:
Correct positioning of the glenoid component is an important determinant of outcome in shoulder arthroplasty. We describe and assess a new radiological plane of reference for improving the accuracy of glenoid preparation prior to component implantation - the Glenoid Vault Outer Cortex (GvOC) plane.
Methods:
One hundred and five CT scans of normal scapulae were obtained. Forty six females and 59 males aged between 22 and 30 years. The accuracy of the GvOC plane was then compared against the current "gold standard" - the scapular border (SB). Measurements of glenoid inclination, version, rotation, and offset were obtained using both the GvOC and SB planes. These were then compared to actual values.
Results:
The mean difference between version obtained using the GvOC plane and the actual value was 1.8° (-2 to 5, SD 1.6) as compared to 6.7° (-2 to 17, SD 4.3) when the SB plane was used, (p < 0.001). The mean difference between estimates of inclination obtained using the GvOC plane and the actual were 1.9° (-4 to 6, SD 1.6) as compared to 11.2° (-4 to 25, SD 6.1) when the SB plane was used, (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The GvOC plane produced estimates of glenoid version and inclination closer to actual values with lower variance than when the SB plane was used. The GvOC may be a more accurate and reproducible radiological method for surgeons to use when defining glenoid anatomy prior to arthroplasty surgery.
Related Concept Videos
Muscles of the Shoulder
Anterior Thoracic Muscles
The anterior thoracic muscles include the serratus anterior, subclavius, and...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a...
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
Overview of the Axial Skeleton
The axial skeleton of the...
Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...

