Clinical

Internal impingement injuries to the superior glenoid labrum are called SLAP lesions (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior). These occur in throwing athletes and following falls on the outstretched hand.

The abnormality involves the origin of the long head of biceps from the superior aspect of the glenoid (the biceps labral anchor). Like the knee meniscus, signal changes may occur with increasing age.

MRI

Several types of SLAP lesions have been described. Whilst there are numerous subtypes, it is really only important to distinguish a normal/degenerate from a torn labrum.

Type	Description
TYPE 0	Normal
TYPE 1	Diffuse degeneration
TYPE 2	Simple linear tear
TYPE 3	Complex (more than 1 plane) tear
TYPE 4	Tear extends into biceps attachment

Other types are various combinations of SLAP and other soft tissue injuries.