Vincula of the biceps tendon in the glenohumeral joint: An arthroscopic and anatomic study.

An anatomic structure frequently observed during glenohumeral joint arthroscopy is described as the vincula of the long head of the biceps brachia tendon. These vincula were present in 24.3% of 411 shoulders (390 patients) undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. There was single vinculum in 56 shoulders, two vincula in 32, three in 12, and four in one shoulder. Younger age is a significant predictor of the presence of vincula. The presence of vincula was also related to subacromial impingement and glenoid labrum tearing. The absence of vincula was related to the diagnosis of rotator cuff tearing. The gross and microscopic structure is similar to the vincula of the finger flexor tendons.