ABSTRACT
Objective To provide anatomical basis for clinical treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation by studying the morphology of coracoid process of human scapula. Methods A total of 500 patients with shoulder injury were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University in Sichuan Province, and 300 patients were selected as subjects, including 159 cases of right shoulder and 141 cases of left shoulder. CT scan images and 3D reconstruction results of scapula of the subjects were collected. The basic morphological characteristics of coracoid process CT images of the subjects were observed, and the relevant parameters were measured, including the longest horizontal distance of the coracoid process tip and the thickness of the midpoint (cd, pp’), the distance from the upper part of the coracoid process scapula to the base and the thickness of the midpoint (mn, kk’). The distance from the apex of the coracoid process to the base of the coracoid process (ab), the longest horizontal distance of the recursion part of the coracoid process (ef), the distance of as (point s was the intersection of point a perpendicular to mn), the distance of hj (point h and j were the intersection of the base of the coracoid process and the recursion part respectively), and ik (point i was the intersection of point k perpendicular to mn and the coracoid process retraction). Results According to the morphological characteristics of coracoid process, they were divided into five types, including peanut 29. 7%; Short rod type accounted for 27. 4%; Melon seed type accounted for 12. 6%; Rod type accounted for 17. 0%; Wedge type accounted for 13. 3%. Through data comparison, it was found that the distance ef and distance hj on the left were larger than those on the right, P<0. 05. All types had statistical difference in comparison distance cd, P<0. 05. The melon seed type showed statistical differences with peanut type, wedge type, long stick type and short stick type in thickness pp’, distance ab and as of point p, P<0. 05. In the comparison of point K thickness kk’, there was statistical difference between melon seed type and other four types, P<0. 05. In the distance ab comparison, there was statistical difference between the short bar type and the other four types, P < 0. 05. Conclusion The study on the morphology of coracoid process can provide anatomical basis for clinical reconstruction of coracoid ligament to treat acromioclavicular joint dislocation.