🦴 Scapula

Brian Lee
Jul 04, 2025
Pending Review

Illustrations

Movements

The scapula moves freely across the rib cage, allowing the arm to position itself in space. Its primary motions are summarized below.

Depression

Lowering the shoulder blade away from the ears.

Ring or bar dip: driving your shoulders downward as you lower your body.

Lower 💪 Trapezius, 💪 Pectoralis Minor, 💪 Latissimus Dorsi

Elevation

Raising the shoulder blade toward the ears.

Dumbbell shrug: lifting your shoulders straight up toward your ears.

Upper 💪 Trapezius, Levator Scapulae

Protraction

Sliding the shoulder blade forward around the rib cage.

Push‑up plus: at the top of a push‑up, actively thrusting your chest away from the floor to spread the shoulder blades.

💪 Serratus Anterior, 💪 Pectoralis Minor

Retraction

Drawing the shoulder blade back toward the spine.

Performing a seated row: pulling the handles toward your torso, squeezing shoulder blades together.

💪 Rhomboid Major, 💪 Rhomboid Minor, Middle 💪 Trapezius

Rotation (Downward)

Returning the scapula from an upwardly rotated position.

Lowering a heavy overhead load: bringing your arms from overhead back to your sides, guiding the shoulder blades back down.

💪 Rhomboid Major, 💪 Rhomboid Minor, Levator Scapulae, 💪 Pectoralis Minor

Rotation (Upward)

Rotating the scapula so the glenoid cavity faces upward.

Overhead press or high‑five: raising your arms overhead while the shoulder blade’s lower angle pivots upward.

Upper 💪 Trapezius, Lower 💪 Trapezius, 💪 Serratus Anterior

References

• 3dtotal Publishing 17, 27

📍 Bony Landmarks

🤖 AI Generated

1. Spine of the Scapula
   • A prominent ridge running across the posterior surface of the scapula.
   • Separates the supraspinous fossa from the infraspinous fossa.
   • Ends laterally at the acromion process.
2. Acromion Process
   • A flat, bony projection at the lateral end of the spine.
   • Articulates with the clavicle at the acromioclavicular joint.
3. Coracoid Process
   • A hook-like structure on the anterior aspect of the scapula.
   • Provides attachment for muscles such as the 💪 pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis, and short head of the biceps brachii.
4. Glenoid Cavity (Fossa)
   • A shallow depression that forms the socket for the head of the humerus.
   • Part of the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint).
5. Supraspinous Fossa
   • A smooth concave area above the spine of the scapula.
   • Houses the supraspinatus muscle.
6. Infraspinous Fossa
   • A larger concave surface below the spine.
   • Houses the infraspinatus muscle.
7. Subscapular Fossa
   • A broad, shallow depression on the anterior surface of the scapula.
   • Serves as the attachment site for the subscapularis muscle.
8. Medial (Vertebral) Border
   • The long, thin edge closest to the spine.
   • Serves as an attachment for the rhomboid muscles and part of the serratus anterior.
9. Lateral (Axillary) Border
   • The edge closest to the armpit.
   • Provides attachment for the teres major and teres minor muscles.
10. Superior Border
    • The shortest border of the scapula, located near the neck.
    • Contains the suprascapular notch, which allows passage of the suprascapular nerve.
11. Inferior Angle
    • The lower tip of the scapula, where the medial and lateral borders meet.
    • Serves as an attachment point for the teres major muscle.
12. Superior Angle
    • The upper tip of the scapula, where the superior and medial borders meet.
    • Provides attachment for part of the levator scapulae muscle.
13. Suprascapular Notch
    • A small notch on the superior border.
    • Transmits the suprascapular nerve (covered by the superior transverse scapular ligament).

🖼️ Examples

References

• Scapula (Wikipedia)
• 📕 Goldfinger 1991
  • 152 Scapula peeks out from the back.