A Study on the Morphology of the Suprascapular Notch and Its Distance from the Glenoid Cavity

Overview

Journal J Clin Diagn Res

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2013 Apr 2

PMID 23542385

Citations 6

Authors

Muralidhar Reddy Sangam

Sattiraju Sri Sarada Devi

Karumanchi Krupadanam

Kolla Anasuya

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: A suprascapular nerve entrapment can occur at the suprascapular notch or at the spinoglenoid notch. So, the size and shape of the suprascapular notch are associated with suprascapular entrapment neuropathy as well as with an injury to the suprascapular nerve in arthroscopic procedures. The knowledge on the variations along the course of the nerve is important in understanding the source of the entrapment syndrome.

Material And Methods: The present study was carried out on 104 scapulae which were obtained from the Department of Anatomy, NRI Medical College and from other nearby medical colleges. The suprascapular notches in the scapulae were classified, based on the descriptions of Rengachary et al and Ticker et al. The distance between the suprascapular notch and the supraglenoid tubercle, and the distance between the posterior rim of the glenoid cavity and the medial wall of the spinoglenoid notch at the base of the scapular spine, were determined. The data were analyzed statistically.

Results: Based on the Rengachary classification, the type III notch was more common. The suprascapular foramen was observed in 2 scapulae. In 56.73% scapulae, the superior transverse diameter was greater than the maximum depth. The U shaped notch (69.23%) was more common. 2.88% and 8.65% scapulae fell short of the mentioned respective safe zone distances from the margin of the glenoid cavity.

Conclusion: Such studies may be useful in understanding the role of the notch in causing nerve entrapment and to prevent iatrogenic nerve injuries while posterior approaches are made to the shoulder joint.

Citing Articles

Morphometry of the Scapular Notch and Its Clinical Implication in Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment.

Duque-Colorado J, Alzate-Mejia O, Del Sol M Diagnostics (Basel). 2025; 15(3).

PMID: 39941276 PMC: 11817711. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15030346.

Three-Dimensional Morphological Analysis of the Suprascapular Notch in Patients with Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Noh K, Lee S, Park C, Bai H, Kim J Clin Orthop Surg. 2024; 16(4):586-593.

PMID: 39092301 PMC: 11262953. DOI: 10.4055/cios24013.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Suprascapular Notch Morphological Variability: Do We Know Everything?.

Tsakotos G, Tudose R, Triantafyllou G, Koutserimpas C, Rusu M, Flevas D Cureus. 2024; 16(3):e55852.

PMID: 38590476 PMC: 11001262. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55852.

Morphometric Study of Suprascapular Notch and Its Safe Zone in Indian Population.

Daripelli S, Tolupunoori B, Vinodini L Maedica (Bucur). 2021; 15(4):461-467.

PMID: 33603903 PMC: 7879349. DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2020.15.4.461.

Glenoid morphology in light of anatomical and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a dissection- and 3D-CT-based study in male and female body donors.

Mathews S, Burkhard M, Serrano N, Link K, Hausler M, Frater N BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017; 18(1):9.

PMID: 28068966 PMC: 5223371. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-016-1373-4.

References

DE Mulder K, Marynissen H, Van Laere C, Lagae K, Declercq G . Arthroscopic transglenoid suture of Bankart lesions. Acta Orthop Belg. 1998; 64(2):160-6. View

Urguden M, Ozdemir H, Donmez B, Bilbasar H, Oguz N . Is there any effect of suprascapular notch type in iatrogenic suprascapular nerve lesions? An anatomical study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2003; 12(3):241-5. DOI: 10.1007/s00167-003-0442-z. View

Rengachary S, Burr D, Lucas S, Hassanein K, MOHN M, MATZKE H . Suprascapular entrapment neuropathy: a clinical, anatomical, and comparative study. Part 2: anatomical study. Neurosurgery. 1979; 5(4):447-51. DOI: 10.1227/00006123-197910000-00007. View

Wang H, Chen C, Wu L, Pan C, Zhang W, Li Y . Variable morphology of the suprascapular notch: an investigation and quantitative measurements in Chinese population. Clin Anat. 2010; 24(1):47-55. DOI: 10.1002/ca.21061. View

Sinkeet S, Awori K, Odula P, Ogengo J, Mwachaka P . The suprascapular notch: its morphology and distance from the glenoid cavity in a Kenyan population. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2010; 69(4):241-5. View

Bayramoglu A, Demiryurek D, Tuccar E, Erbil M, Aldur M, Tetik O . Variations in anatomy at the suprascapular notch possibly causing suprascapular nerve entrapment: an anatomical study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2003; 11(6):393-8. DOI: 10.1007/s00167-003-0378-3. View

Ticker J, Djurasovic M, Strauch R, April E, Pollock R, Flatow E . The incidence of ganglion cysts and other variations in anatomy along the course of the suprascapular nerve. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1998; 7(5):472-8. DOI: 10.1016/s1058-2746(98)90197-5. View

Natsis K, Totlis T, Tsikaras P, Appell H, Skandalakis P, Koebke J . Proposal for classification of the suprascapular notch: a study on 423 dried scapulas. Clin Anat. 2006; 20(2):135-9. DOI: 10.1002/ca.20318. View

Dunkelgrun M, Iesaka K, Park S, Kummer F, Zuckerman J . Interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility in suprascapular notch typing. Bull Hosp Jt Dis. 2004; 61(3-4):118-22. View

10.

Duparc F, Coquerel D, Ozeel J, Noyon M, Gerometta A, Michot C . Anatomical basis of the suprascapular nerve entrapment, and clinical relevance of the supraspinatus fascia. Surg Radiol Anat. 2010; 32(3):277-84. DOI: 10.1007/s00276-010-0631-7. View

11.

Bigliani L, Dalsey R, McCann P, April E . An anatomical study of the suprascapular nerve. Arthroscopy. 1990; 6(4):301-5. DOI: 10.1016/0749-8063(90)90060-q. View

12.

Polguj M, Jedrzejewski K, Podgorski M, Topol M . Correlation between morphometry of the suprascapular notch and anthropometric measurements of the scapula. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2011; 70(2):109-15. View

13.

Warner J, Krushell R, Masquelet A, Gerber C . Anatomy and relationships of the suprascapular nerve: anatomical constraints to mobilization of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles in the management of massive rotator-cuff tears. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1992; 74(1):36-45. View

14.

Tubbs R, Smyth M, Salter G, Oakes W . Anomalous traversement of the suprascapular artery through the suprascapular notch: a possible mechanism for undiagnosed shoulder pain?. Med Sci Monit. 2003; 9(3):BR116-9. View

15.

Shishido H, Kikuchi S . Injury of the suprascapular nerve in shoulder surgery: an anatomic study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2001; 10(4):372-6. DOI: 10.1067/mse.2001.115988. View

16.

Edelson J . Bony bridges and other variations of the suprascapular notch. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1995; 77(3):505-6. View