🦴 Scapula

Brian Lee
Sat May 10 2025

Illustrations

Gray203 — Henry Vandyke Carter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Movements

References

3D 17, 27

Example Actions

Movement	Example Action
Retraction	Performing a seated row: pulling the handles toward your torso, squeezing shoulder blades together.
Protraction	Push‑up plus: at the top of a push‑up, actively thrusting your chest away from the floor to spread the shoulder blades.
Elevation	Dumbbell shrug: lifting your shoulders straight up toward your ears.
Depression	Ring or bar dip: driving your shoulders downward as you lower your body.
Upward Rotation	Overhead press or high‑five: raising your arms overhead while the shoulder blade’s lower angle pivots upward.
Downward Rotation	Lowering a heavy overhead load: bringing your arms from overhead back to your sides, guiding the shoulder blades back down.

🤖 AI Generated

Movement	Related Muscles
Retraction	Rhomboid Major, Rhomboid Minor, Middle Trapezius
Protraction	Serratus Anterior, Pectoralis Minor
Elevation	Upper Trapezius, Levator Scapulae
Depression	Lower Trapezius, Pectoralis Minor, Latissimus Dorsi
Upward Rotation	Upper Trapezius, Lower Trapezius, Serratus Anterior
Downward Rotation	Rhomboid Major, Rhomboid Minor, Levator Scapulae, Pectoralis Minor

⭐ Bony Landmarks

🤖 AI Generated

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.
Acromion Process
- A flat, bony projection at the lateral end of the spine.
- Articulates with the clavicle at the acromioclavicular joint.
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.
Glenoid Cavity (Fossa)
- A shallow depression that forms the socket for the head of the humerus.
- Part of the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint).
Supraspinous Fossa
- A smooth concave area above the spine of the scapula.
- Houses the supraspinatus muscle.
Infraspinous Fossa
- A larger concave surface below the spine.
- Houses the infraspinatus muscle.
Subscapular Fossa
- A broad, shallow depression on the anterior surface of the scapula.
- Serves as the attachment site for the subscapularis muscle.
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.
Lateral (Axillary) Border
- The edge closest to the armpit.
- Provides attachment for the teres major and teres minor muscles.
Superior Border
- The shortest border of the scapula, located near the neck.
- Contains the suprascapular notch, which allows passage of the suprascapular nerve.
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.
Superior Angle
- The upper tip of the scapula, where the superior and medial borders meet.
- Provides attachment for part of the levator scapulae muscle.
Suprascapular Notch
- A small notch on the superior border.
- Transmits the suprascapular nerve (covered by the superior transverse scapular ligament).

🖼️ Examples

Woman Combing Her Hair, Edgar Degas, ca. 1888-90

References

Scapula (Wikipedia)
Goldfinger 1991
- 152 Scapula peeks out from the back. Below is an expanded scapular‐movements table that incorporates the requested synonyms (adduction/abduction) and the primary (and where noted, secondary) muscle movers:

🦴 Scapula

Illustrations

Movements

References

Example Actions

Related Muscles

⭐ Bony Landmarks

🖼️ Examples

References