Morphological study on suprascapular notch and superior transverse scapular ligaments in human scapulae

Abstract

Background: The scapula is a flat triangular bone situated on the posteroleteral aspect of thoracic wall between second and seventh rib. The coracoid process of scapula projects upward and, medial to the base of coracoid process is the Suprascapular Notch (SSN). Morphology of SSN is considered to be a risk factor for Suprascapular Nerve (SN) entrapment in combination with an anomalous Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament (STSL). Aim: To review and document the morphology of suprascapular notch, degree of ossification of superior transverse scapular ligament and its clinical correlation. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out by visual observation on 115 dried human scapulae. Result: It was observed that 115 scapulae showed different shapes with symmetrical ‘U’, the most common type (34.78%). There was a unique variation in one left scapula, where SSN was replaced by a narrow groove (0.86%). Conclusion: This study will help to correlate suprascapular nerve entrapment with a specific type of SSN.