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Suprascapular notch

Dr Matt A. Morgan ◉ et al.

The suprascapular notch is located on the superior aspect of the scapula, at the scapula's anterolateral aspect.

On this page:

Article:

Gross anatomy
Variant anatomy
Related pathology
Related articles
References

Images:

Cases and figures

Gross anatomy

The suprascapular notch separates the superior border of the scapula from the anterior coracoid process.

Relations and/or boundaries

The suprascapular nerve passes through the notch on its course over the scapula to the dorsal shoulder.

The superior transverse scapular ligament passes over the notch and attaches to the base of the coracoid process. The suprascapular artery passes over the ligament.

Variant anatomy

One classification system attempts to categorize variant suprascapular notch anatomy ².

type I: no suprascapular notch
type II: there is a 'V' shape to the suprascapular notch, and it is located in the middle third of the superior border
type III: there is a 'U' shape to the suprascapular notch
type IV: similar to type II, but very small; the suprascapular nerve often passes through a groove next to the notch
type V: similar to type III, but very small, with a partially ossified ligament
type VI (4%): the transverse scapular ligament is completely ossified

Related pathology

suprascapular notch cyst
- may occur from a SLAP tear
- cyst may cause mass effect on the suprascapular nerve, resulting in supraspinatus and infraspinatus denervation

Quiz questions

References

Anatomy: Upper limb

Anatomy: Upper limb

skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
  - conoid tubercle
  - supraclavicular foramen
- scapula
- humerus
  - supracondylar spur
  - olecranon foramen
- radius
- ulna
- carpal bones (mnemonic)
  - scaphoid
    - bipartite scaphoid
  - lunate
    - lunate morphology
  - triquetrum
  - pisiform
  - trapezium
  - trapezoid
  - capitate
  - hamate
  - variants
    - carpal coalition
      - lunotriquetral coalition
      - capito-hamate coalition
- metacarpals
- phalanges
  - terminal tuft
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
  - accessory ossicles of the shoulder
    - os acromiale
  - accessory ossicles of the elbow
    - os supratrochleare dorsale
    - patella cubiti
  - 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
    - movements
      - scapulothoracic joint
        
        scapular retraction (adduction)
        
        scapular protraction (abduction)
        
        scapular elevation
        
        scapular depression
        
        scapular lateral rotation
        
        scapular medial rotation
      - glenohumeral joint
        
        arm flexion
        
        arm extension
        
        arm abduction
        
        arm adduction
        
        arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
        
        arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
        
        circumduction
    - blood supply - scapular anastomosis
    - ossification centers
- elbow joint
  - proximal radioulnar joint
  - ligaments
    - medial (ulna) collateral ligament complex
    - lateral (radial) collateral ligament complex
      - lateral ulnar collateral ligament
  - associated structures
  - movements
  - alignment
  - blood supply - elbow anastomosis
  - development
    - elbow ossification (mnemonic)
    - elbow ossification centers
- wrist joint
  - articulations
  - ligaments
    - intrinsic ligaments
    - extrinsic ligaments
  - associated structures
    - extensor retinaculum
    - flexor retinaculum
    - joint capsule
  - movements
  - alignment
  - ossification centers
- hand joints
  - articulations
    - carpometacarpal joint
      - triscaphe joint
    - metacarpophalangeal joints
      - palmar ligament (plate)
      - collateral ligament
    - interphalangeal joints
      - palmar ligament (plate)
      - collateral ligament
  - movements
  - ossification centers
spaces of the upper limb
muscles of the upper limb
blood supply to the upper limb
- arteries
- veins
innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
- brachial plexus (mnemonic)
  - branches from the roots
  - branches from the trunks
    - suprascapular nerve
  - branches from the cords
    - lateral cord
      - lateral pectoral nerve
    - posterior cord
    - medial cord
  - terminal branches
    - ulnar nerve
    - radial nerve
      - posterior interosseous nerve (deep radial nerve)
      - superficial radial nerve
    - musculocutaneous nerve
    - axillary nerve
    - median nerve
      - anterior interosseous nerve
      - bifid median nerve
lymphatic drainage of the upper limb
- axillary lymph nodes

Article information

rID: 34244

System: Musculoskeletal

Section: Anatomy

Tag: shoulder, shoulder mri, nerve entrapment

Synonyms or Alternate Spellings:

Scapular notch

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Cases and figures

Figure 1: suprascapular notch (red arrow) Figure 1: suprascapular notch (red arrow)

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Case 1: annotated imageCase 1: annotated image

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Case 2: paralabral cyst into suprascapular notchCase 2: paralabral cyst into suprascapular notch

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