Scapula bone anatomy
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Scapula — Bone Anatomy
Overview
The scapula is a large, flat, triangular bone that lies on the posterolateral thorax between ribs 2–7. It is entirely surrounded by muscles and has no direct bony articulation with the thorax. It connects the upper limb to the axial skeleton via the clavicle.
Basic Components
| Category | Components |
|---|---|
| Angles | Lateral (glenoid), Superior, Inferior |
| Borders | Superior, Lateral (axillary), Medial (vertebral) |
| Surfaces | Posterior (dorsal), Costal (anterior/ventral) |
| Processes | Spine, Acromion, Coracoid process |
Surfaces
Posterior Surface
The posterior surface is divided by the spine of the scapula into two fossae:
- Supraspinous fossa — small, superior; lodges the supraspinatus muscle
- Infraspinous fossa — larger, inferior; lodges the infraspinatus muscle
- The region between the lateral angle and the spine attachment is the greater scapular notch (spinoglenoid notch)
Costal (Anterior) Surface
- Features a large, shallow concave subscapular fossa over most of its extent
- Lodges the subscapularis muscle
- The costal surface and subscapularis glide freely over the thoracic wall (scapulothoracic "joint")
Borders
| Border | Features |
|---|---|
| Lateral (axillary) | Thick and strong; provides muscle attachment (teres major, teres minor) |
| Medial (vertebral) | Thin and sharp; runs parallel to the spine; attachment for serratus anterior |
| Superior | Thin and sharp; bears the suprascapular notch medial to the coracoid process root |
Angles
| Angle | Features |
|---|---|
| Lateral angle | Bears the glenoid cavity — shallow, comma-shaped; articulates with the humeral head at the glenohumeral joint |
| Superior angle | Located at junction of medial and superior borders |
| Inferior angle | Located at junction of medial and lateral borders; important palpation landmark; moves forward and laterally when the arm is raised |
Processes
Spine
- Prominent horizontal ridge on the posterior surface dividing it into supra- and infraspinous fossae
- Begins as a low ridge near the medial border and rises to the acromion laterally
Acromion
- Anterolateral projection of the spine, arching over the glenohumeral joint
- Has a small oval articular facet on its distal end for the acromioclavicular joint with the clavicle
- Easily palpated as the bony prominence at the tip of the shoulder
Coracoid Process
- A hook-like structure projecting anterolaterally from the superior border
- Positioned directly inferior to the lateral clavicle
- Attachment for:
- Pectoralis minor (tip)
- Short head of biceps brachii (tip)
- Coracobrachialis (tip)
- Coracohumeral ligament, coracoacromial ligament, coracoclavicular ligament
- Palpable through the deltopectoral groove
Tubercles and Notches
| Structure | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Supraglenoid tubercle | Superior to glenoid cavity | Origin of long head of biceps brachii |
| Infraglenoid tubercle | Inferior to glenoid cavity | Origin of long head of triceps brachii |
| Suprascapular notch | Superior border, medial to coracoid root | Suprascapular nerve passes through it (under transverse scapular ligament); suprascapular artery passes over the ligament |
| Spinoglenoid notch | Between spine and lateral angle | Suprascapular nerve passes through here to enter the infraspinous fossa |
Articulations
- Glenohumeral joint — glenoid cavity with head of humerus (ball-and-socket)
- Acromioclavicular joint — acromion with lateral clavicle (plane synovial joint)
- Scapulothoracic "joint" — physiological gliding joint between the costal surface/subscapularis and the thoracic wall (not a true synovial joint)
Muscle Attachments Summary
| Muscle | Attachment Site on Scapula |
|---|---|
| Supraspinatus | Supraspinous fossa |
| Infraspinatus | Infraspinous fossa |
| Subscapularis | Subscapular fossa |
| Teres minor | Lateral border (upper) |
| Teres major | Lateral border (lower) / inferior angle |
| Serratus anterior | Medial border and inferior angle (costal surface) |
| Rhomboids | Medial border |
| Trapezius | Spine and acromion |
| Levator scapulae | Superior angle and medial border |
| Pectoralis minor | Coracoid process |
| Biceps brachii (short head) | Coracoid process |
| Biceps brachii (long head) | Supraglenoid tubercle |
| Triceps brachii (long head) | Infraglenoid tubercle |
| Coracobrachialis | Coracoid process |
| Omohyoid | Superior border, medial to suprascapular notch |
Clinical Correlates
Winged Scapula
Paralysis of serratus anterior (due to damage to the long thoracic nerve, C5–C7) causes the medial border and inferior angle to protrude posteriorly — the classic "wing." It also limits arm abduction beyond 90°. The long thoracic nerve is vulnerable during axillary dissection (e.g., mastectomy), "rucksack paralysis," or penetrating trauma.
Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment
The suprascapular nerve can be compressed at the suprascapular notch (affecting supraspinatus and infraspinatus) or at the spinoglenoid notch (affecting infraspinatus only), causing shoulder pain and weakness.
Scapular Fractures
Rare due to heavy muscular protection; require significant force. The body and neck are most commonly fractured.
Source: Gray's Anatomy for Students, p. 821–822
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Scapula Anatomy
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What's inside:
| Section | Color Theme |
|---|---|
| 🎨 Cover banner | Deep teal gradient |
| 📌 Overview cards | Teal info cards |
| 🖼️ Anatomical diagram | Posterior / Anterior / Lateral views |
| 🔵 Surfaces | Teal table |
| 🟠 Borders | Orange table |
| 🟣 Angles | Purple table |
| 🟢 Processes | Green table |
| 🔴 Tubercles & Notches | Red table |
| 💪 Muscle Attachments | Indigo table |
| 🔗 Articulations | Amber table |
| 🏥 Clinical Correlates | Color-coded cards (winged scapula, nerve entrapment, fractures) |
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