Subcoracoid Bursa

Description

Illustration of the subcoracoid bursa (blue) relative to the subscapularis muscle and conjoined tendons of coracobrachialis and biceps tendons. Note the subcoracoid recess is also labeled in blue (as SSR=subscapularis recess)

Illustration of the subcoracoid bursa

Bursa aorund the shoulder joint: 1. subacromial-subdeltoid bursa 2. Subscapularis bursa 3. Sucoracoid bursa 4. Coracoclavicular bursa 5. Supra-acromial bursa.

Name

• Subcoracoid Bursa
• Coracoid Bursa
• Subcoracoid Synovial Bursa
• Subcoracoid Recess

General

• The subcoracoid bursa sits anterior to the subscapularis muscle and deep to the coracoid process
• It lies deep to the conjoined tendons of the coracobrachialis and short head of biceps brachii
• Does not communicate with the glenohumeral joint
• Seen in about 90% of anatomic specimens
• Communicates with the subacromial bursa in about 11% of anatomic specimens
• One of the Bursa of the Shoulder

Subcoracoid Recess

• The subcoracoid bursa should not be confused with the recess
• The subacoracoid recess communicates with the glenohumeral joint, lies deep to the subscapularis
• The recess can "saddlebag" over the top of the subscapularis tendon which makes identification on MRI challenging

Actions

• Reduce friction between coracobrachialis, subscapularis and short head of the biceps brachii
• Facilitates internal and external rotation of the shoulder

Vascular Supply

• Branches of
  • Subcoracoid artery
  • Anterior circumflex humeral artery
  • Posterior circumflex humeral artery

Innervation

• Suprascapular Nerve
• Axillary Nerve

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Clinical Significance

Pathology

• Subcoracoid Bursitis

Procedures

• Subcoracoid Bursa Injection

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See Also

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

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