The lateral surface of the greater tuberosity is

rough and convex. It merges distally into the lateral surface

of the shaft of the humerus.

The lesser tuberosity is smaller but more prominent than

the greater tuberosity (see Figs. 1.12 to 1.13). The lesser

tuberosity often is referred to as the lesser tubercle in

anatomy textbooks (4,5). It is located anteriorly, adjacent to

the anatomic neck. The anterior surfaced of the lesser

tuberosity provides the major points of insertion of the subscapularis.

The greater and lesser tuberosities are separated from

each other by a deep groove, the bicipital groove (intertubercular groove, intertubercular sulcus; see Figs. 1.12 and

1.13A). The tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii

muscle coursers along and within this groove, along with a

branch of the anterior humeral circumflex artery, which

travels superiorly to supply a portion of the shoulder joint.

The bicipital groove courses obliquely downward and ends

in the proximal third of the humeral shaft. The upper portion of the bicipital groove is lined by a thin layer of cartilage and covered by an extension of the synovial membrane

of the shoulder. The lower portion of the groove becomes

progressively shallow and provides the insertion of the latissimus dorsi. On either side of the bicipital groove there is a

crest of bone. These are the crests of the greater and lesser

tuberosities, also known as the bicipital ridges. Distal to the

greater and lesser tuberosities, the circumference of the

bone narrows to where the shaft joins the proximal portion.

This is the surgical neck of the humerus. In the distal portion of the bicipital groove, the latissimus dorsi inserts just

medial to the groove. The pectoralis major tendon inserts

just lateral to the groove, slightly distal to the insertion of

the latissimus dorsi.