Spine Of The Scapula, Posterior View

Description

Scapular spine dominates the posterior surface of the shoulder blade as a stout transverse ridge running from the medial border toward the lateral angle, where it expands into the acromion. Superior to the spine lies the supraspinous fossa, while the broader infraspinous fossa occupies the posterior scapular body inferiorly, separated by the bony crest and its prominent posterior lip. Medially, the spine roots into the scapular body near the vertebral (medial) border, and laterally it aligns with the posterior aspect of the glenoid region, framing the superior and inferior compartments of the dorsal scapula in a single fixed posterior perspective. Landmarks read quickly. Rotator cuff and scapular stabilizer anatomy is anchored here: trapezius inserts along the superior crest of the spine while deltoid arises from its inferior border and the acromion, so the ridge becomes a practical map for muscle orientation and surgical intervals. Posterior shoulder pain workups and operative planning often hinge on recognizing this bony contour on radiographs and CT, where scapular spine fractures, acromial stress injury after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, or traction-related changes can alter the normal silhouette and the subacromial space. Directional lighting and sharp edge definition help distinguish the spine’s crest from the flatter scapular body, making the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae easy to parse for teaching and labeling. Orthopedic and sports medicine educators can pair this illustration with discussions of impingement syndromes, deltoid and trapezius attachments, and posterior approaches to the shoulder girdle. Medical publishers will find it fits well in upper-limb osteology chapters, radiology primers on scapular landmarks, and perioperative materials that reference the acromion and scapular spine as palpable guides. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.