Scapula

Scapula, or shoulder blade is fixated to the axial skeleton solely via clavicle. Motions of the shoulder blade, to a great extent, facilitate the movements of the upper arm.

The frontal and anterior oblique view of the axial skeleton — Scapula in situ. Posterior oblique view.
Note the flat shape of the shoulder blade – in some parts of the supraspinous and infraspinous fossas, the thickness is less than 1 millimeter and looks semitranslucent when observed against the light.

Costal surface of the scapula — Anterior, or costal surface of the scapula
The term fossa subscapularis can be spatially misleading. While 'subscapular' literally means 'under the scapula,' the fossa is actually located on the anterior surface of the bone. The name reflects the position of the overlying subscapularis muscle rather than the bone's orientation.
The list of terms:
Fossa subscapularis – Subscapular fossa
Margo superior – Superior margin
Margo lateralis – Lateral margin
Margo medialis – Medial margin
Angulus superior – Superior angle
Angulus inferior – Inferior angle
Angulus lateralis – Lateral angle
Acromion
Angulus acromialis – Acromial angle
Facies articularis clavicularis – Clavicular facet
Processus coracoideus – Coracoid process
Incisura scapulae – Scapular notch
Cavitas glenoidalis – Glenoid cavity
Collum scapulae – Neck of scapula

Posterior surface of the scapula — Posterior surface of the shoulder blade.
The list of terms:
Spina scapulae – Spine of scapula
Acromion
Angulus acromialis – Acromial angle
Fossa supraspinata – Supraspinous fossa
Fossa infraspinata – Infraspinous fossa
Collum scapulae – Neck of scapula
Margo superior – Superior margin
Margo medialis – Medial margin
Margo lateralis – Lateral margin
Angulus superior – Superior angle
Angulus inferior – Inferior angle
Angulus lateralis – Lateral angle

The lateral view to the scapula — Lateral view of the shoulder blade.
The list of terms:
Facies posterior scapulae – Posterior surface of scapula
Facies costalis scapulae – Costal (anterior) surface of scapula
Spina scapulae – Spine of scapula
Acromion
Fossa supraspinata – Supraspinous fossa
Fossa infraspinata – Infraspinous fossa
Cavitas glenoidalis – Glenoid cavity
Tuberculum supraglenoidale – Supraglenoid tubercle
Tuberculum infraglenoidale – Infraglenoid tubercle
Processus coracoideus – Coracoid process

360° rotation of the scapula.

First published: Jun/2020
Last update: 24/Oct/2025