JBJS - 2026-03-18 - Journal Article
The Trapezius Aponeurosis Insertion on the Acromion: An Anatomical Study with a Possible Implication for Dynamic Stabilization of the Acromioclavicular Joint.
Sugiura S, Nimura A, Hishiyama J, Fujishiro H, Sasaki T, Muro S, Yoshii T, Akita K
Topics
Key Takeaway
The trapezius aponeurosis inserts longest at the acromion (mean 28.9 mm), forms a fibrocartilaginous enthesis just posterior to the AC joint, and creates a contiguous complex with the deltoid origin and superior AC capsule that may be the anatomical basis for dynamic AC joint stabilization.
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Summary
This cadaveric study characterized the regional anatomy of the trapezius aponeurosis insertion around the AC joint using macroscopic measurement, fiber orientation coherency analysis, and histology in 20 shoulders. Aponeurosis length was greatest at the acromial insertion (28.9 ± 5.4 mm) versus AC-joint (20.3 ± 7.7 mm) and clavicular (7.2 ± 3.2 mm) insertions (p<0.001), with higher fiber coherency at acromial and AC-joint sites than at the clavicular insertion. Histology confirmed a fibrocartilaginous enthesis exclusively at the acromial insertion just posterior to the AC joint, where the aponeurosis merges with the deltoid origin and superior AC capsule.
Key Limitation
The exclusively elderly cadaveric cohort (mean 86 years) may not reflect the aponeurosis dimensions, fiber organization, or enthesis integrity relevant to the younger athletic population sustaining acute AC dislocations.
Original Abstract
BACKGROUND
The trapezius is recognized as a dynamic stabilizer of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. This function has drawn attention in the treatment of AC joint dislocation. We aimed to clarify the anatomy of the aponeurosis of the trapezius insertion about the AC joint. We hypothesized that the trapezius aponeurosis would exhibit distinctive characteristics in 3 regions: the acromial, AC-joint, and clavicular insertions.
METHODS
We analyzed 21 cadaveric shoulder girdle specimens from 13 donors of Japanese ethnicity (4 male and 9 female; mean age [and standard deviation], 86 ± 7.9 years [range, 72 to 97 years]). Fifteen specimens were analyzed macroscopically and 5 histologically. One specimen was excluded because of osteoarthritis. Macroscopic examination included aponeurosis length measurement and fiber orientation analysis.
RESULTS
The trapezius aponeurosis inserted on the medial edge of the acromion, the posterior end of the AC joint, and the posterior edge of the lateral clavicle. The mean aponeurosis length was longest at the acromial insertion (mean, 28.9 ± 5.4 mm), followed by the AC-joint insertion (20.3 ± 7.7 mm), and shortest at the clavicular insertion (7.2 ± 3.2 mm) (p < 0.001). The trapezius aponeurosis was found to extend to the surface of the acromion and AC joint, connecting these structures to the deltoid origin. The coherency value, which reflects the regularity of fiber orientation, was higher on the osseous surface of the acromial insertion (median [interquartile range], 0.36 [0.26 to 0.55]) and the AC-joint insertion (0.37 [0.23 to 0.44]) than at the clavicular insertion (0.22 [0.18 to 0.30]). Histological observation showed that the aponeurosis was inserted via fibrocartilage only at the acromial insertion, just posterior to the AC joint. The aponeurosis at the AC-joint insertion was thicker than that at the clavicular insertion.
CONCLUSIONS
The trapezius aponeurosis at the acromial and AC-joint insertions formed a contiguous complex with the origin of the deltoid tendon and with the superior AC-joint capsule.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The trapezius aponeurosis at the acromial insertion, just posterior to the AC joint, may be critical for the dynamic stability of the joint.