Scapula

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Attachments

• Anterior
  • Subscapularis (subscapular fossa)
  • Pectoralis Minor (coracoid process)
  • Coracobrachialis (coracoid process)
• Medial
  • Serratus Anterior (medial border)
  • Rhomboid Major (medial border)
  • Rhomboid Minor (medial border)
  • Levator Scapulae (medial border)
• Posterior
  • Trapezius (spine of scapula)
  • Deltoid (spine of scapula)
  • Supraspinatus (supraspinatus fossa)
  • Infraspinatus (infraspinatus fossa)
• Lateral
  • Triceps Brachii (long head: infraglenoid tubercle)
  • Biceps Brachii (short head: coracoid process, long head: supraglenoid tubercle)
  • Teres Minor (lateral border)
  • Teres Major (lateral border)
• Inferior
  • Latissimus Dorsi (inferior border)

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Actions

• Role of scapula
  • Provides synchronous scapular rotation during humeral motion
  • Serves as a stable base for Rotator Cuff activation
  • Functions as a link in the kinetic chain
• Planes of motion
  • Upward/downward rotation around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the plane of the scapula
  • Internal/external rotation around a vertical axis through the plane of the scapula
  • Anterior/posterior tilt around a horizontal axis in the plane of the scapula
• Planes of translation
  • Upward/downward translation on the thoracic wall
  • Retraction (posterior, medial)/protraction (anterior, lateral) around the rounded thorax
• Action by muscle group
  • Elevation: upper Trapezius, Levator Scapulae
  • Depression: lower Trapezius
  • Retraction (adduction): Rhomboid Major, Rhomboid Minor, middle Trapezius
  • Protraction (abduction): Serratus Anterior
  • Upward rotation: upper, middle Trapezius
  • Downward rotation: Rhomboid Major, Rhomboid Minor

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Clinical Significance

• Scapular Dyskinesis

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See Also

• Shoulder Pain (Main)
• Shoulder Anatomy (Main)
• Physical Exam Shoulder

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