Schematic illustration of the measurements and representative MRA scans of coronal (A, C, E, G) and sagittal (B, D, F, H) of the shoulder in the patient groups.

<p>Anatomical landmarks are written in gray or white: acromion (Acr), supraspinatus (SSp), coracoid (Cor), glenoid (G) and humerus (H). Measurements are written in black: acromiohumeral distance (AH), tear length (TL), angle of tear (), radius of humerus (r), cross sectional surface area of the supraspinatus (SSp) and cross sectional surface area of the infraspinatus (ISp). For the control group, representative MRA images can be found in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0118158#pone.0118158.g002" target="_blank">Fig. 2</a> panel C and D (coronal and sagittal view, respectively). For the superior tear group, representative MRA images can be found in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0118158#pone.0118158.g002" target="_blank">Fig. 2</a> panel E and F (coronal and sagittal view, respectively). For the posterosuperior tear group, representative MRA images can be found in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0118158#pone.0118158.g002" target="_blank">Fig. 2</a> panel G and H (coronal and sagittal view, respectively). In panels E and G the length of the rotator cuff tear is measured in the coronal plane (arrow). In panel H fat infiltration of the SSp and the ISp is indicated (*).