Suprascapular notch

Suprascapular notch
	File:Suprascapular notch of left scapula03.png Costal surface of left scapula. Suprascapular notch shown in red.
	File:Scapula ant - Suprascapular notch.png Costal surface of left scapula. Suprascapular notch visible in the red square.
Details
Latin	Incisura scapulae
Identifiers
Dorlands; /Elsevier	i_05/12447497
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TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
	Anatomical terms of bone [[[d:Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 863: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).\|edit on Wikidata]]]

The suprascapular notch (or scapular notch) is a notch in the superior border of the scapula, just medial to the base of the coracoid process.

This notch is converted into a foramen by the superior transverse scapular ligament, and serves for the passage of the suprascapular nerve (but not its corresponding artery); sometimes the ligament is ossified. The suprascapular artery travels superiorly to the superior transverse ligament.^[1]

According to Rengachary et al. 1979, there are six basic types of scapular notch:^[2]

Type I (8%): Notch is absent. The superior border forms a wide depression from the medial angle to the coracoid process.
Type II (31%): Notch is a blunted V-shape occupying the middle third of the superior border.
Type III (48%): Notch is U-shaped with nearly parallel margins.
Type IV (3%): Notch is V-shaped and very small. A shallow groove is frequently formed for the suprascapular nerve adjacent to the notch.
Type V (6%): Notch is minimal and U-shaped with a partially ossified ligament.
Type VI (4%): Notch is a foramen as the ligament is completely ossified.

Additional images

Suprascapular notch of left scapula - animation01.gif

Left scapula. Suprascapular notch shown in red.
Suprascapular notch - animation02.gif

Animation. Suprascapular notch shown in red.
Left scapula. Dorsal surface. (Sup. notch visible at top center.)
Costal surface of left scapula. Suprascapular notch labeled at top center.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)