A Posterior View Of The Spine Of The Scapula

Description

Arising from the posterior surface of the scapular body, the scapular spine runs obliquely from the medial border toward the lateral angle, where it expands into the acromion and overhangs the glenohumeral region. The animation holds a posterior orientation while the bony landmarks resolve in sequence, separating the supraspinous fossa superiorly from the infraspinous fossa inferiorly. As the camera subtly shifts, the spine’s crest and deltoid tubercle read as a palpable ridge, with the medial end (root of the spine) sitting medial and slightly superior to the lateral acromial continuation. That ridge is more than a surface feature. It defines major muscular compartments: supraspinatus occupies the supraspinous fossa and passes under the acromion, while infraspinatus fills the infraspinous fossa, and both contribute to rotator cuff function and common patterns of posterior shoulder pain. Animated sequencing clarifies the three-dimensional sweep from medial root to lateral acromion and helps learners understand why acromial morphology and the subacromial space matter in impingement syndromes and rotator cuff tears, where the supraspinatus tendon is frequently involved. Use this animation in shoulder and upper-limb anatomy teaching, orthopedic and sports medicine modules on rotator cuff disease, and figure preparation for textbooks discussing posterior scapular landmarks used in physical examination and surgical approaches to the scapula and acromion. It also supports radiology orientation for correlating posterior bony anatomy with scapular Y and outlet views. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.