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Glenoid cavity
Other Terms:
Cavitus glenoidalis,
Glenoid cavity,
Glenoid cavity of scapula,
Cavitas glenoidalis scapulae
Description
The cavity contributes to the lateral angle of the scapula. It is a shallow, pear-shaped surface for articulation with the humeral head. It is often called the head of the scapula.
Etymology
The term glenoid comes from the Greek glenoeide meaning like a socket or cavity. Galen, a principal early anatomist, used the term liberally applying it to any shallow ball and socket joint. The Greek term glene actually means the pupil of the eye or mirror. This reference is probably from the glistening mirror-like cartilage that covered the surface of the cavity.
Latin
Cavitas glenoidalis scapulae