Anatomical study of biceps tendon’s long head in Vietnamese adults

Authors

Keywords:

tendons; shoulder joint; anatomy

Abstract

Introduction: Anatomical variations in the origin of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon may affect the diagnosis and management of several shoulder-related conditions.

Objective: To describe the anatomical characteristics of the origin of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon in Vietnamese adult cadavers.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 30 shoulders from 15 Vietnamese adult cadavers. Dissection was performed to determine attachment to the supraglenoid tubercle, attachment location, Vangsness classification, and to measure the length/width of the attachment footprint.

Results: The tendon attached to the supraglenoid tubercle in 18/30 shoulders (60.0%) and showed no attachment to the supraglenoid tubercle in 12/30 (40.0%). The 11 o’clock position accounted for 56.7%; the remaining attachment positions included 10–12 o’clock and 11–12 o’clock (20.0% each) and 12–2 o’clock (3.3%). According to Vangsness classification: type 1, 63.3%; type 3, 20.0%; type 2, 13.3%; type 4, 3.3%. The footprint width was 3.087 ± 1.064 mm and the footprint length was 11.033 ± 1.640 mm; no significant differences were found between left and right shoulders (p = 0.116; p = 0.712).

Conclusions: The long head of the biceps tendon shows marked variations in attachment pattern, location, and footprint size; these data provide reference values for imaging diagnosis and surgery involving the labrum–biceps complex.

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Author Biographies

Phung Nguyen Van, Tra Vinh University. School of Medicine and Pharmacy. Travinh, Vietnam.

Department of Plastic Surgery, School of Medicine and Pharmacy

Ngoc Nguyen Ha, Institute of Trauma and Orthopedics. Military Hospital 175. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Institute of Trauma and Orthopedics

Tri Bui Dang Minh, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine. Centre for Health Professionals Training. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Centre for health professionals training

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Published

2026-02-27

How to Cite

1.
Nguyen Van P, Nguyen Ha N, Bui Dang Minh T, Nguyen Thanh V. Anatomical study of biceps tendon’s long head in Vietnamese adults. Rev. cuba. med. mil [Internet]. 2026 Feb. 27 [cited 2026 Mar. 5];55(1):e026077268. Available from: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/77268

Issue

Vol. 55 No. 1 (2026): January - March (In progress)

Section

Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Phung Nguyen Van, Ngoc Nguyen Ha, Tri Bui Dang Minh, Van Nguyen Thanh

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