glenoïdale

Glenoïdale is an anatomical term used as an adjective to describe structures related to the glenoid, the concave articular surface of the scapula that forms the socket for the shoulder joint with the head of the humerus. In French, the form is glénoïdal, and in English the term is commonly rendered as glenoid or glenoidal; the diacritic is not standard in English but may appear in transliterations from French.

The glenoid cavity is a shallow depression on the lateral aspect of the scapula. It is rimmed by the glenoid labrum, a ring of fibrocartilage that deepens the socket and contributes to shoulder stability. The joint between the glenoid and the humeral head is called the glenohumeral joint, a major component of the shoulder's range of motion and stability.

Clinical relevance: Glenoid anatomy is central to shoulder instability, dislocations, and several forms of osseous or soft-tissue injury. Glenoid version refers to the orientation of the socket in the axial plane and influences joint stability. Injuries such as Bankart lesions involve tears of the glenoid labrum, while bony Bankart lesions involve fracture of the anterior-inferior glenoid rim. Imaging modalities including X-ray, CT, and MRI are used to assess glenoid shape, version, and defects, with CT providing detailed evaluation of osseous anatomy and defect size to guide treatment decisions, which may range from conservative management to arthroscopic or open stabilization.