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Atlas of Shoulder MRI Anatomy

This webpage presents the anatomical structures found on shoulder MRI.

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T1 Axial view - T2-FATSAT Axial view - T1 Coronal view - T2-FATSAT Coronal view - T2-FATSAT Sagittal view

MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 1. 1, Axillary vein and artery. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Acromion. 5, Supraspinatus muscle.

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  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 1. 1, Axillary vein and artery. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Acromion. 5, Supraspinatus muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 2. 1, Axillary vein and artery. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Supraspinatus muscle. 5, Acromion.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 3. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Axillary vein and artery. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Supraspinatus muscle. 6, Acromion. 7, Scapula. 8, Subscapularis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 4. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Supraspinatus muscle. 5, Acromion. 6, Deltoid muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Axillary vein and artery. 10, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 5. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle (anterior). 3, Coracoid process. 4, Humeral head. 5, Glenoid. 6, Supraspinatus muscle. 7, Scapula. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Axillary vein and artery. 12, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 6. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Humeral head. 5, Glenoid. 6, Deltoid muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 7. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Glenoid. 6, Infraspinatus muscle. 7, Subscapularis muscle. 8, Axillary vein and artery. 9, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 8. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Glenoid. 6, Infraspinatus muscle. 7, Subscapularis muscle. 8, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 9. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Glenoid. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 10. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Glenoid. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Coracobrachialis muscle. 10, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 11. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (long head). 3, Deltoid muscle (anterior). 4, Humeral head. 5, Glenoid. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Deltoid muscle. 8, Infraspinatus muscle. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Coracobrachialis muscle. 11, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 12. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Deltoid muscle (anterior). 5, Humeral head. 6, Glenoid. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Coracobrachialis muscle. 12, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 13. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Deltoid muscle (anterior). 5, Humeral head. 6, Glenoid. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Coracobrachialis muscle. 12, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 14. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Deltoid muscle (anterior). 5, Humeral head. 6, Glenoid. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Coracobrachialis muscle. 12, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 15. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Deltoid muscle (anterior). 5, Humeral head. 6, Scapula. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Coracobrachialis muscle. 12, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 16. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humerus. 5, Teres minor muscle. 6, Triceps tendon. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Scapula. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Coracobrachialis muscle. 11, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 17. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps muscle. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humerus. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Tricipital muscle. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Infraspinatus muscle. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Coracobrachialis muscle. 11, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 18. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps muscle. 3, Humerus. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Tricipital muscle. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Scapula. 9, Subscapularis muscle.10, Coracobrachialis muscle. 11, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder. Axial T1-weighted view. Image 19. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps muscle (short head). 3, Humerus. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Tricipital muscle. 6, Scapula. 7, Subscapularis muscle. 8, Coracobrachialis muscle. 9, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 1. 1, Axillary artery and vein. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Acromion. 5, Supraspinatus muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 2. 1, Axillary artery and vein. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Supraspinatus muscle. 5, Acromion.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 3. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Axillary artery and vein. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Supraspinatus muscle. 6, Acromion. 7, Scapula. 8, Subscapularis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 4. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Supraspinatus muscle. 5, Acromion. 6, Deltoid muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Axillary artery and vein. 10, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 5. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle (ant). 3, Coracoid process. 4, Humeral head. 5, Glenoid. 6, Supraspinatus. 7, Scapula. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Axillary artery and vein. 12, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 6. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Coracoid process. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humeral head. 5, Glenoid. 6, Deltoid muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 7. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Glenoid. 6, Infraspinatus muscle. 7, Subscapularis muscle. 8, Axillary artery and vein. 9, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 8. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Glenoid. 6, Infraspinatus muscle. 7, Subscapularis muscle. 8, Right lung.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 9. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Glenoid. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 10. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Glenoid. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Coracobrachialis muscle. 10, Pectoralis minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 11. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (long head). 3, Deltoid muscle (ant). 4, Humeral head. 5, Glenoid. 6, Deltoid muscle. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Infraspinatus muscle. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 12. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Deltoid muscle (ant). 5, Humeral head. 6, Glenoid. 7, Deltoid muscle. 8, Teres minor muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 13. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Deltoid muscle (ant). 5, Humeral head. 6, Glenoid. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 14. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Deltoid muscle (ant). 5, Humeral head. 6, Glenoid. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 15. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Deltoid muscle (ant). 5, Humeral head. 6, Scapula. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Infraspinatus muscle. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 16. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps tendon (short head). 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humerus. 5, Teres minor. 6, Triceps tendon. 7, Supraspinatus muscle. 8, Scapula. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 17. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps muscle. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humerus. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Triceps tendon. 7, Scapula. 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 18. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps muscle (short head). 3, Humerus. 4, Deltoid muscle (post). 5, Triceps muscle. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Scapula. 9, Subscapularis muscle.10, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2-FATSAT, Axial view. Image 19. 1, Pectoralis major muscle. 2, Biceps muscle (short head). 3, Humerus. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Triceps muscle. 6, Scapula. 7, Subscapularis muscle. 8, Coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 1. 1, Acromion. 2, Infraspinatus muscle. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Teres minor muscle. 5, Teres major muscle. 6, Tricipital muscle. 7, Humerus.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 2. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromion. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humeral head. 5, Infraspinatus muscle. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Teres major muscle. 8, Tricipital muscle. Arrow, Posterior humeral circumflex artery and axillary nerve.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 3. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromion. 3, Infraspinatus tendon. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Humeral head. 6, Infraspinatus muscle. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Teres major muscle. 9, Tricipital muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 4. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromion. 3, Infraspinatus tendon. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Humeral head. 6, Spine of the scapula. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Teres minor muscle. 9, Tricipital muscle. 10, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 5. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromion. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humeral head. 5, Supraspinatus muscle. 6, Spine of the scapula. 7, Infraspinatus muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 6. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromioclavicular joint. 3, Acromion. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Humeral head. 6, Supraspinatus muscle. 7, Spine of the scapula. 8, Infraspinatus muscle. 9, Scapula. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 7. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Acromion. 5, Supraspinatus tendon. 6, Greater tuberosity. 7, Humeral head. 8, Supraspinatus muscle. 9, Glenoid. 10, Spine of the scapula. 11, Infraspinatus muscle. 12, Scapula. 13, Subscapularis muscle. 14, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 8. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Acromion. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Greater tuberosity. 7, Humeral head. 8, Supraspinatus muscle. 9, Glenoid. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 9. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Greater tuberosity. 6, Humeral head. 7, Glenoid. 8, Supraspinatus muscle. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 10. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Supraspinatus tendon. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Greater tuberosity. 6, Humeral head. 7, Glenoid. 8, Supraspinatus muscle. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Axillary vein and artery. 11, Biceps and coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 11. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Supraspinatus tendon. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Humeral head. 6, Glenoid. 7, Supraspinatus muscle. 8, Biceps tendon (long head). 9, Biceps and coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 12. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Supraspinatus muscle. 4, Glenoid. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Humeral head. 7, Subscapularis muscle. 8, Biceps tendon (long head). 9, Biceps and coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 13. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Supraspinatus muscle. 4, Coracoid process. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Humerus. 7, Biceps tendon (long head). 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Biceps and coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 14. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Subscapularis muscle. 6, Biceps and coracobrachialis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T1, Coronal view. Image 15. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Subscapularis muscle. 6, Axillary vein and artery.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 1. 1, Acromion. 2, Infraspinatus muscle. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Teres minor muscle. 5, Teres major muscle. 6, Triceps muscle. 7, Humerus.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 2. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromion. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humeral head. 5, Infraspinatus muscle. 6, Teres minor muscle. 7, Teres major muscle. 8, Triceps muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 3. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromion. 3, Infraspinatus tendon. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Humeral head. 6, Infraspinatus muscle. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Teres major muscle. 9, Triceps muscle. 10, Humerus.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 4. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromion. 3, Infraspinatus tendon. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Humeral head. 6, Spine of scapula. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Teres minor muscle. 9, Triceps muscle. 10, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 5. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromion. 3, Deltoid muscle. 4, Humeral head. 5, Supraspinatus muscle. 6, Spine of scapula. 7, Infraspinatus muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 6. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Acromioclavicular joint. 3, Acromion. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Humeral head. 6, Supraspinatus muscle. 7, Spine of scapula. 8, Infraspinatus muscle. 9, Scapula. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 7. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Acromion. 5, Supraspinatus tendon. 6, Greater tuberosity. 7, Humeral head. 8, Supraspinatus muscle. 9, Glenoid. 10, Spine of scapula. 11, Infraspinatus muscle. 12, Scapula. 13, Subscapularis muscle. 14, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 8. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Acromion. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Greater tuberosity. 7, Humeral head. 8, Supraspinatus muscle. 9, Glenoid. 10, Subscapularis muscle. 11, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 9. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Acromioclavicular joint. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Greater tuberosity. 6, Humeral head. 7, Glenoid. 8, Supraspinatus muscle. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Teres major muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 10. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Supraspinatus tendon. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Greater tuberosity. 6, Humeral head. 7, Glenoid. 8, Supraspinatus muscle. 9, Subscapularis muscle. 10, Biceps and coracobrachialis.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 11. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Supraspinatus tendon. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Humeral head. 6, Glenoid. 7, Supraspinatus muscle. 8, Biceps tendon (long head). 9, Biceps and coracobrachialis.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 12. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Supraspinatus muscle. 4, Glenoid. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Humeral head. 7, Subscapularis muscle. 8, Biceps tendon (long head). 9, Biceps and coracobrachialis.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 13. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Supraspinatus muscle. 4, Coracoid process. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Humerus. 7, Biceps tendon (long head). 8, Subscapularis muscle. 9, Biceps and coracobrachialis.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 14. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Subscapularis muscle. 6, Biceps and coracobrachialis.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Coronal view. Image 15. 1, Trapezius muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Subscapularis muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 1. 1, Subscapularis muscle. 2, Supraspinatus muscle. 3, Trapezius muscle. 4, Deltoid muscle. 5, Infraspinatus muscle. 6, scapula. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Triceps muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 2. 1, Subscapularis muscle. 2, Clavicle. 3, Trapezius muscle. 4, Supraspinatus muscle. 5, Infraspinatus muscle. 6, Scapula. 7, Teres minor muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 3. 1, Subscapularis muscle. 2, Coracoid process. 3, Clavicle. 4, Trapezius muscle. 5, Supraspinatus muscle. 6, Acromion. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Scapula. 9, Teres minor muscle. 10, Deltoid muscle. 11, Triceps muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 4. 1, Subscapularis muscle. 2, Glenoid. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Clavicle. 5, Supraspinatus muscle. 6, Trapezius muscle. 7, Acromion. 8, Infraspinatus muscle. 9, Teres minor muscle. 10, Deltoid muscle. 11, Triceps muscle. 12, Teres major muscle. 13, Biceps muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 5. 1, Subscapularis muscle. 2, Coracoid process. 3, Supraspinatus muscle. 4, Clavicle. 5, Trapezius muscle. 6, Acromion. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Teres minor muscle. 10, Triceps muscle. 11, Teres major muscle. 12, Biceps muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 6. 1, Subscapularis muscle. 2, Coracoid process. 3, Supraspinatus muscle. 4, Clavicle. 5, Acromion. 6, Infraspinatus muscle. 7, Deltoid muscle. 8, Teres minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 7. 2, Subscapularis muscle. 3, Coracoid process. 4, Supraspinatus muscle. 5, Clavicle. 6, Acromion. 7, Infraspinatus muscle. 8, Deltoid muscle. 9, Teres minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 8. 1, Coracobrachialis muscle. 2, Subscapularis muscle. 3, Humeral head. 4, Coracoid process. 5, Supraspinatus muscle. 6, Clavicle. 7, Acromion. 8, Infraspinatus muscle. 9, Deltoid muscle. 10, Teres minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 9. 1, Coracobrachialis. 2, Subscapularis tendon. 3, Humeral head. 4, Coracoid process. 5, Deltoid muscle. 6, Biceps tendon (long head). 7, Clavicle. 8, Acromioclavicular joint. 9, Supraspinatus muscle. 10, Acromion. 11, Infraspinatus muscle. 12, Deltoid muscle. 13, Teres minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 10. 2, Subscapularis tendon. 3, Biceps tendon (long head). 4, Supraspinatus muscle. 5, Acromion. 6, Infraspinatus muscle. 7, Deltoid muscle. 8, Teres minor muscle.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 11. 1, Teres minor muscle and tendon. 2, Infraspinatus tendon. 3, Acromion. 4,Supraspinatus tendon. 5, Biceps tendon (long head). 6, Subscapularis tendon.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 12. 1, Teres minor muscle and tendon. 2, Infraspinatus tendon. 3, Acromion. 4,Supraspinatus tendon.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 13. 1, Teres minor muscle and tendon. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Infraspinatus tendon. 4, Acromion. 5,Supraspinatus tendon. 6, Humerus.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 14. 1, Teres minor tendon. 2, Deltoid muscle. 3, Infraspinatus tendon. 4, Supraspinatus tendon. 5, Subscapularis tendon. 6, Deltoid muscle. 7, Humeral head.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 15. 1, Deltoid muscle. 2, Infraspinatus tendon. 3, Supraspinatus tendon. 4, Humeral head.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 16. 1, Deltoid muscle. 2, Humeral head.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 17. 1, Deltoid muscle. 2, Humeral head.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 18. 1, Deltoid muscle. 2, Humeral head.

  • MRI of the shoulder, T2FATSAT, Sagittal view. Image 19. 1, Deltoid muscle.

Radiologists primarily perform shoulder imaging to assess injuries within the shoulder joint. Experts analyze the different imaging techniques to identify better diseases associated with the shoulder, including AC joint osteoarthritis and RC tendinosis(1).

How Does Shoulder MRI Work?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests involve large machines that use radio wave energy pulses and a magnetic field to produce images of the shoulder(2).

Compared to X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan, MRI tests allow doctors to see joint structures, including muscles and ligaments, more clearly.

During an MRI test, the patient places their shoulder inside the magnet machine. This process allows the magnetic field to find changes in the organ and tissue structures, identifying any tissue disease or damage, including infections or tumors.

MRI images are digital, allowing other doctors to remotely review the pictures from an MRI scan for further study.

For physical copies of the MRI images, technicians may use a contrast material during the MRI scan to highlight specific structures. Contrast material is a substance that makes structures appear more clearly, which helps show areas of infection or inflammation and find some types of tumors.

Bone Structures

Shoulder MRI includes assessments of the joint’s bone structures, including the proximal humerus (upper limb’s long bone; shoulder to elbow), scapula (shoulder blade) and glenoid (end of the scapula), coracoid process (bone structure located below the lateral fourth of the clavicle), acromion (the shoulder’s highest point), and the distal clavicle (collarbone).

Assessing these parts help doctors identify the following diseases:

  • Osteonecrosis of the humeral head: Also known as Hass disease, this disease is less common than osteonecrosis of the hip. Similar risk factors remain, including those that lead to loss of circulation and eventual bone death(3). 
  • Bone tumors: When cells within a bone uncontrollably divide, a lump of abnormal tissue develops forms and develops into bone tumors. Primary bone tumors associated with the shoulder include osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma(4).
  • Fractures: a fracture is a break in the bone that may occur after vehicular accidents, falls, or sports injuries.
  • Hill-Sachs lesion: The Hill-Sachs lesion is a bone defect of the humeral head, typically associated with anterior shoulder instability(5).
  • Bony Bankart lesion: Patients with a bony Bankart lesion usually have anterior shoulder dislocation. Experts define this condition as a detachment of the anteroinferior labrum associated with a glenoid rim fracture(6).

Acromioclavicular Joint

The acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) is the planar diarthrodial synovial joint of the pectoral girdle, which connects the upper limb to the axial skeleton.

The planar diarthrodial synovial joint is a type of joint that features an articular capsule, synovial fluid, and articular cartilage.

Some related conditions that an MRI test can identify may include:

  • Acromioclavicular injury: Common among athletes, this injury is a significant source of morbidity in athletes who engage in overhead sports. 

This injury may disguise as other shoulder conditions. Thus, examiners must understand the shoulder’s anatomy and biomechanics to perform a systematic clinical evaluation correctly and accurately identify the injury(7).

  • Arthritis: Shoulder osteoarthritis (OA) may be a significant cause of pain and disability. In the USA, 32.8% of patients over 60 years old have this condition(8).
  • Hooked acromion: Hooked acromions are the third type of acromion, the others being flat and smoothly curved types(9). Individuals with hooked acromion may experience increased incidences of rotator cuff tears(10).
  • Lateral downslope: A study investigating the lateral downsloping of the acromion assessed whether its appearance is a good MR sign in impingement syndrome(11). Although the authors suggested that lateral downslope is not predictive of impingement syndrome, standardized measurements partially validated the condition.

Impingement syndrome is a condition where the rotator cuff tendons get pinched as they pass between the upper arm and tip of the shoulder.

Rotator Cuff

Surrounding the shoulder joint is the rotator cuff, which is a group of muscles and tendons(12). Shoulder MRI assesses the following tendon and muscle structures:

  • Supraspinatus tendon and supraspinatus muscle
  • Infraspinatus tendon and infraspinatus muscle
  • Teres minor tendon and teres minor muscle
  • Subscapularis tendon and subscapularis muscle

Assessing these muscles and tendons allow doctors to diagnose conditions concerning rotator cuff tears, including:

  • Atrophy: Muscle atrophy is the muscle tissue’s gradual shrinking as a result of disease or inactivity. Chronic rotator cuff tears are the most common reasons for rotator cuff atrophy. Other causes may include cuff aging, diabetes, and disuse(13).
  • Fatty degeneration: massive rotator cuff tears may lead to fatty degeneration(14). Fatty degeneration is a rotator cuff degenerative condition characterized by fatty accumulation within and around the muscles. Atrophy of muscle fibers and fibrosis may also manifest(15).
  • Edema: MRI commonly finds bone marrow edema (BME), which may occur in all bones(16). Excessive water signals characterize BMEs in the marrow on MRI tests(17).
  1. Kvalvaag, E., Anvar, M., Karlberg, A. C., Brox, J. I., Engebretsen, K. B., Soberg, H. L., Juel, N. G., Bautz-Holter, E., Sandvik, L., & Roe, C. (2017). Shoulder MRI features with clinical correlations in subacromial pain syndrome: a cross-sectional and prognostic study. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 18(1), 469. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1827-3
  2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Shoulder. Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan. 2019 December 8. Retrieved from https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tu6374
  3. Harreld, K. L., Marker, D. R., Wiesler, E. R., Shafiq, B., & Mont, M. A. (2009). Osteonecrosis of the humeral head. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 17(6), 345–355. https://doi.org/10.5435/00124635-200906000-00003
  4. Bone Tumor. OrthoInfo. Retrieved from https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/bone-tumor
  5. Provencher, M. T., Frank, R. M., Leclere, L. E., Metzger, P. D., Ryu, J. J., Bernhardson, A., & Romeo, A. A. (2012). The Hill-Sachs lesion: diagnosis, classification, and management. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 20(4), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-20-04-242
  6. Skupiński, J., Piechota, M. Z., Wawrzynek, W., Maczuch, J., & Babińska, A. (2017). The Bony Bankart Lesion: How to Measure the Glenoid Bone Loss. Polish journal of radiology, 82, 58–63. https://doi.org/10.12659/PJR.898566
  7. Beim G. M. (2000). Acromioclavicular joint injuries. Journal of athletic training, 35(3), 261–267.
  8. Chillemi, C., & Franceschini, V. (2013). Shoulder osteoarthritis. Arthritis, 2013, 370231. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/370231
  9. Epstein, R. E., Schweitzer, M. E., Frieman, B. G., Fenlin, J. M., Jr, & Mitchell, D. G. (1993). Hooked acromion: prevalence on MR images of painful shoulders. Radiology, 187(2), 479–481. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.187.2.8475294
  10. Yadav, Sachin Kumar; Zhu, Wen Hui. A systematic review: Of acromion types and its effect on degenerative rotator cuff tear. International Journal of Orthopaedics Sciences. 2017. Retrieved from https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/article?articleId=1998795
  11. Yao, L., Lee, H. Y., Gentili, A., & Shapiro, M. M. (1996). Lateral down-sloping of the acromion: a useful MR sign?. Clinical radiology, 51(12), 869–872. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0009-9260(96)80085-7
  12. Rotator cuff injury. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rotator-cuff-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20350225
  13. Chung, S. W., Kim, S. H., Tae, S. K., Yoon, J. P., Choi, J. A., & Oh, J. H. (2013). Is the supraspinatus muscle atrophy truly irreversible after surgical repair of rotator cuff tears?. Clinics in orthopedic surgery, 5(1), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2013.5.1.55
  14. Kang, J. R., & Gupta, R. (2012). Mechanisms of fatty degeneration in massive rotator cuff tears. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 21(2), 175–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2011.11.017
  15. Osti, L., Buda, M., & Del Buono, A. (2014). Fatty infiltration of the shoulder: diagnosis and reversibility. Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal, 3(4), 351–354.
  16. Baumbach, S. F., Pfahler, V., Bechtold-Dalla Pozza, S., Feist-Pagenstert, I., Fürmetz, J., Baur-Melnyk, A., Stumpf, U. C., Saller, M. M., Straube, A., Schmidmaier, R., & Leipe, J. (2020). How We Manage Bone Marrow Edema-An Interdisciplinary Approach. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(2), 551. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9020551
  17. Eriksen E. F. (2015). Treatment of bone marrow lesions (bone marrow edema). BoneKEy reports, 4, 755. https://doi.org/10.1038/bonekey.2015.124 

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