Scapula

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

• Bk 3d 17, 27

Bony Landmarks

Acromion process #

Flat projection at the lateral end of the spine that articulates with the 🦴 clavicle.

Coracoid process #

Hook-like anterior projection providing attachments for 💪 pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis, and the short head of Biceps.

Glenoid cavity #

Shallow socket that receives the head of the 🦴 humerus to form the glenohumeral joint.

Inferior angle #

Lower tip where medial and lateral borders meet; attachment for teres major.

Infraspinous fossa #

Broad surface below the spine that lodges the infraspinatus.

Lateral border #

Edge closest to the axilla providing attachment for teres major and teres minor.

Medial border #

Long edge nearest the spine; attachment for rhomboids and part of the serratus anterior.

Spine #

Prominent ridge on the posterior surface separating the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae and ending laterally at the acromion.

Subscapular fossa #

Wide anterior depression serving as attachment for the subscapularis.

Superior angle #

Upper tip joining the superior and medial borders; attachment for part of the levator scapulae.

Superior border #

Shortest border near the neck containing the suprascapular notch for passage of the suprascapular nerve.

Suprascapular notch #

Small notch on the superior border transmitting the suprascapular nerve beneath the superior transverse ligament.

Supraspinous fossa #

Smooth concavity above the spine housing the supraspinatus.

Muscle Origins #

Acromion and spine

• Deltoid

Coracoid process

• Biceps (short head)
• Coracobrachialis

Inferior angle and lateral border

• Teres Major
• Latissimus Dorsi (variable slip)

Infraglenoid tubercle

• Triceps (long head)

Infraspinous fossa

• Infraspinatus

Lateral border (upper portion)

• Teres Minor

Subscapular fossa

• Subscapularis

Supraglenoid tubercle

• Biceps (long head)

Supraspinous fossa

• Supraspinatus

Muscle Insertions #

Acromion and spine

• Trapezius

Coracoid process

• Pectoralis Minor

Medial border (anterior surface)

• Serratus Anterior

Medial border (posterior surface)

• Rhomboid Major
• Rhomboid Minor

Superior angle and medial border

• Levator scapulae

🖼️ Examples

References

• Scapula (wikipedia)
• Gf
  • 152 Scapula peeks out from the back.