Scapular depression

Last revised by Craig Hacking ◉ ◈ on 7 Oct 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Zhou E, Hacking C, Scapular depression. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Mar 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-93709

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-93709

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/93709

rID:

93709

Article created:

3 Oct 2021, Edward Zhou

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Edward Zhou had no recorded disclosures.

View Edward Zhou's current disclosures

Last revised:

7 Oct 2021, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Revisions:

4 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Synonyms:

Scapula depression
Depression of the scapula

Scapular depression refers to the caudal motion of the scapula (scapulothoracic joint). In most instances, depression of the scapula is a passive process (due to gravity) that is facilitated by movement at the acromioclavicular joint. Occasionally some muscular attachments serve as active depressors, the most commonly described being the inferior fibers of serratus anterior and pectoralis minor ^1-3.

Other minor depressors of the scapula include:

latissimus dorsi
pectoralis major (secondarily through its action on the clavicle and humerus)
trapezius ^2,3

It is important to note that no one movement of the scapula occurs in isolation and no individual muscle exerts a singular action on the scapula. The opposite movement is scapular elevation.

References

Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb

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Cases and figures

Figure 1: Scapulothoracic joint movementsFigure 1: Scapulothoracic joint movements

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Figure 2: Muscles that position that pectoral girdle (diagram)Figure 2: Muscles that position that pectoral girdle (diagram)

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