The glenoid bare area is the central posterior glenoid fossa where articular cartilage is absent or markedly thin, visible as a central cartilage-free zone on MRI. It is a normal anatomical feature caused by central glenoid cartilage thinning and must not be confused with an osteochondral defect.
The glenoid bare area is a common source of diagnostic confusion on MRI — it can mimic a posterior glenoid osteochondral defect or labral tear due to its central signal void. Awareness of this normal variant prevents unnecessary surgery. True glenoid osteochondral defects are eccentric, have abnormal subchondral signal, and often have associated labral pathology. The glenoid bare area is also the reference point for glenoid track measurement in instability.
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