Infraspinous Fossa On The Scapula, Posterior View

Description

Scapula anatomy dominates this posterior view, with the scapular spine running transversely to separate the smaller supraspinous fossa superiorly from the broad infraspinous fossa inferiorly. Laterally, the spine expands into the acromion at the superior lateral angle, while the infraspinous fossa tapers toward the glenoid region where the humeral head articulates. Along the medial (vertebral) border and inferior angle, the posterior surface contours frame the attachment areas for infraspinatus and adjacent scapulothoracic muscles. Bone landmarks are the focus. For shoulder mechanics, the infraspinous fossa matters because it houses the infraspinatus origin, a primary external rotator of the glenohumeral joint and a key stabilizer in rotator cuff disease. Posterior surgical and interventional approaches often reference the scapular spine and infraspinous fossa when orienting to the suprascapular and spinoglenoid notches, sites where suprascapular nerve entrapment can present with posterior shoulder pain and infraspinatus atrophy. The fixed posterior perspective makes the spine, fossae, and lateral scapular landmarks easy to relate to surface anatomy over the posterior thorax. Use this illustration in gross anatomy and kinesiology teaching for scapular osteology, rotator cuff origin mapping, and scapulothoracic orientation, or in orthopedic and sports medicine publishing when discussing posterior shoulder pain, rotator cuff tears, and suprascapular neuropathy. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.