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.
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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
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: Upper limb
-
skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- carpal bones (mnemonic)
- metacarpals
- phalanges
- 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 styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
-
shoulder joint
- articulations
- associated structures
-
movements
- scapular retraction (adduction)
- scapular protraction (abduction)
- scapular elevation
- scapular depression
- arm abduction
- arm adduction
- arm flexion
- arm extension
- arm internal rotation (medial)
- arm external rotation (lateral)
- blood supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centers
-
elbow joint
- proximal radioulnar joint
- ligaments
- associated structures
- movements
- alignment
- blood supply - elbow anastomosis
- development
-
wrist joint
- articulations
-
ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
- extrinsic ligaments
- associated structures
- extensor retinaculum
- flexor retinaculum
- joint capsule
- movements
- alignment
- ossification
-
hand joints
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
-
metacarpophalangeal joint
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
-
interphalangeal joint
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
- movements
- articulations
-
shoulder joint
- 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
- posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
-
hand (mnemonic)
- intrinsic muscles of the hand
- thenar muscles
- hypothenar muscles
- palmaris brevis
- intermediate muscles
- accessory muscles
- 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
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