Morphological parameters of the acromion

The purpose of this study was to record the basic morphometric values of the acromion. Forty-four pairs of dried scapulas were reviewed. Acromial shape was evaluated in relation to sex, symmetry and presence of subacromial enthe-sophytes and classified according to Bigliani with the following results: type I (flat): 26.1%, type II (curved): 55.6 % and type III (hooked): 18.1%. There was a greater percentage of type III in men (56.2 % vs. 43.7%) and type I in women (56.5 % vs. 43.4%). Acromial morphology was symmetric in 29 acromia (65.9%). Enthesophytes were most common in type III (75%). A rough inferior surface of the acromion was most frequently found in type III (81.2%). Nine other scapu-lar osteological parameters were also measured. Many differences were noted between male and female scapulae. The great variety of morphological fea-tures is assumed to be related to rotator cuff pathology and other shoulder impairments. (Folia Morphol 2008; 67: 255–260) Key words: shoulder, morphometry, impingement, rotator cuf