Anatomy of the Synovial Sheath of the Long Head of the Biceps

Inflammations and degenerative processes can be localized in the tendon itself or in its sheath. If it deals with an affection of the tendon itself, we speak about tendinitis. If it deals with an affection of the tendinous sheath, we speak about tenovaginitis. At the most of affections it deals with present tendinitis and tenovaginitis in the absolute most of the cases. The tendinous sheath is a combination of bursa with ligamentously strengthened fascial stripes in the places where tendons are in the osteofibrotic  canaliculi. A fibrous part of the sheath is called sheath fibrosa tendinitis. A synovial sheath (vagina synovialis tendinis) is created between  the tendon and vagina fibrosa tendinitis. The synovial sheath is similar to the bursa, but of  a cylindroid shape. One layer of this synovial sheath  is put on the fibrous layer, the second layer of the synovial sheath is put on the tendon. Between both laminas there is a synovia which has the same structure as a synovial membrane of the articular capsule. Tendinitis of the long head of the biceps is manifested at the ultrasound examination as an enlargement of the tendon7, and tenovaginitis as an enlargement of the tendon of the sheath, and a presence of a liquid in the sheath.

 

7 tendinitis is mostly connected with an enlargement of the tendon over 7 mm, or more than 1 mm in the comparison with the second side detectable during the ultrasound examination