Subscapularis recess
Last revised by Tariq Walizai
on 4 Aug 2024
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Goel A, Walizai T, Feger J, et al. Subscapularis recess. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 20 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-44950
rID:
44950
Article created:
9 May 2016,
Ayush Goel
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Ayush Goel had no recorded disclosures.
View Ayush Goel's current disclosures
Last revised:
4 Aug 2024,
Tariq Walizai
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Tariq Walizai had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Tariq Walizai's current disclosures
Revisions:
5 times, by
5 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Superior subscapularis recess
- Subscapularis bursa
- Subscapular recess
The subscapularis recess, also known as the superior subscapularis recess or subscapularis bursa, is a normal extension of the glenohumeral joint capsule in between the superior and middle glenohumeral ligaments.
On this page:
Radiographic features
MRI
On sagittal oblique sequences and when distended with fluid, it may appear saddlebag-like by hanging over the subscapularis tendon, inferior to the coracoid process.
Clinical importance
It is important not to confuse the subscapular recess with the subcoracoid bursa, the latter does not communicate with the glenohumeral joint and has a more caudal extent.
Related pathology
Distension of the subscapularis recess in the setting of shoulder pain suggests adhesive capsulitis, especially in the setting of nocturnal pain and middle-aged patients 3,4.
References
- 1. Shoulder Arthroscopy and MRI Techniques. Springer. (2003) ISBN:3540431128. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Grainger AJ, Tirman PF, Elliott JM, Kingzett-Taylor A, Steinbach LS, Genant HK. MR anatomy of the subcoracoid bursa and the association of subcoracoid effusion with tears of the anterior rotator cuff and the rotator interval. (2000) AJR. American journal of roentgenology. 174 (5): 1377-80. doi:10.2214/ajr.174.5.1741377 - Pubmed
- 3.Carbone S, Napoli A, Gumina S. MRI of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: Distension of the Bursa in the Superior Subscapularis Recess is a Suggestive Sign of the Pathology. Eur J Radiol. 2014;83(2):345-8. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.10.017 - Pubmed
- 4. Mulligan E, Brunette M, Shirley Z, Khazzam M. Sleep Quality and Nocturnal Pain in Patients with Shoulder Disorders. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2015;24(9):1452-7. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2015.02.013 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
-
skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- hand
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
-
accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os epitriquetrum
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
-
pectoral girdle
-
shoulder joint
- articulations
- associated structures
- joint capsule
- bursae
- ligaments
- movements
- scapulothoracic joint
-
glenohumeral joint
- arm flexion
- arm extension
- arm abduction
- arm adduction
- arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
- arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
- circumduction
- arterial supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centres
-
shoulder joint
-
elbow joint
- proximal radioulnar joint
- ligaments
- associated structures
- movements
- alignment
- arterial supply - elbow anastomosis
- development
-
wrist joint
- articulations
-
ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
- extrinsic ligaments
- radioscaphoid ligament
- dorsal intercarpal ligament
- dorsal radiotriquetral ligament
- dorsal radioulnar ligament
- volar radioulnar ligament
- radioscaphocapitate ligament
- long radiolunate ligament
- Vickers ligament
- short radiolunate ligament
- ulnolunate ligament
- ulnotriquetral ligament
- ulnocapitate ligament
- ulnar collateral ligament
- associated structures
- extensor retinaculum
- flexor retinaculum
- joint capsule
- movements
- alignment
- ossification centres
-
hand joints
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
-
metacarpophalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
-
interphalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
- movements
- ossification centres
- articulations
-
pectoral girdle
- spaces of the upper limb
- muscles of the upper limb
- shoulder girdle
- anterior compartment of the arm
- posterior compartment of the arm
-
anterior compartment of the forearm
- superficial
- intermediate
- deep
-
posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
- superficial
- deep
- muscles of the hand
-
accessory muscles
- elbow
- volar wrist midline
- palmaris longus profundus
- aberrant palmaris longus
- volar wrist radial-side
- accessory flexor digitorum superficialis indicis
- flexor indicis profundus
- flexor carpi radialis vel profundus
- accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus (Gantzer muscle, common)
- volar wrist ulnar-side
- dorsal wrist
- blood supply to the upper limb
-
arteries
- subclavian artery (mnemonic)
- axillary artery
- brachial artery (proximal portion)
- ulnar artery
- radial artery
- veins
-
arteries
- innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
-
brachial plexus (mnemonic)
- branches from the roots
- branches from the trunks
- branches from the cords
- lateral cord
- posterior cord
- medial cord
- terminal branches
- lymphatic drainage of the upper limb
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.
