Calcific and non-calcific tendinopathies.Subacromial impingement – subacromial bursa and supraspinatus.These include (but are not limited to) common pathologies such as: Many conditions can account for anterior shoulder pain in the athlete. The morphology of the coracoid process can lead to a narrowing of these spaces and predispose the shoulder to an SCI (6). The space between the coracoid process and glenoid is termed the ‘coraco-glenoid space,’and the distance between the coracoid and the humerus is termed the coracohumeral distance (CHD) or coracohumeral interval (CHI).

The subscapularis tendon and its bursa.The subacromial-subdeltoid bursa (which may extend as the subcoracoid bursa) (11,12).The articular capsule of the glenohumeral joint (particularly the middle glenohumeral ligament and coracohumeral ligament).The space behind and below the coracoid process is termed the ‘ subcoracoid space.’ It consists of: The conoid and trapezoid ligaments attach to the superior coracoid.įigure 1: Anatomy of the coracoid process and surrounding structures.The coracohumeral ligament attaches to the lateral border.The suprascapular ligament attaches to the base.The short head of the biceps brachii and the coracobrachialis connect as a conjoined tendon to the apex.The pectoralis minor attaches to the medial border.Anatomically, the coracoid process presents an origin point for several muscles and ligaments ( see figure 1). This individual variation creates differences in the shape and the size of the space between the coracoacromial arch and the rotator cuff (4,5), which explains the potential congenital cause of SCI (6,7). The coracoid process is an anterior extension of the scapula that varies considerably in height and length. Although originally identified and described as a source of anterior shoulder pain in 1909 (2), Gerber et al (1985) were the first to truly describe a form of impingement between the deep surface of the coracoid process, the coracoacromial ligament and the anterior rotator cuff – postulating that this was due to a narrowing of the subcoracoid space (3). Sub-coracoid impingement (SCI) syndromes are an uncommon cause of anterior shoulder pain in the athlete the prevalence in the general population who complain of anterior shoulder pain is approximately 5% (1). 2018 Regis Prograis is hit by a punch from Terry Flanagan Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Coracoid process 3 muscles