What a Shoulder Labral Tear Looks Like on MRI

This video explains what shoulder labral tears look like on MRI, including normal labral anatomy, SLAP tears, posterior labral tears, and paralabral cysts. We review the anatomy and function of the glenoid labrum, the attachment of the long head of the biceps tendon, common mechanisms of injury, and the MRI findings associated with different types of labral tears. Examples include superior labral anterior-to-posterior (SLAP) tears, posterior labral tears, and paralabral cysts that communicate with the torn labrum. MRI allows radiologists to directly evaluate the shoulder labrum and surrounding structures, helping identify tears, assess their severity, and detect associated findings such as paralabral cyst formation. This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician for personal medical concerns.