Supraspinous Fossa Of The Scapula

Description

Supraspinous fossa of the scapula occupies the superior part of the dorsal (posterior) surface, bounded inferiorly by the scapular spine and tapering medially toward the superior angle. From this rear perspective, the spine forms a prominent transverse ridge, while the medial (vertebral) border and lateral (axillary) border frame the triangular depression above it. Laterally, the fossa leads toward the base of the acromion and the lateral angle where the glenoid region lies just anterior to the visible plane. Bony contour dominates the field. Clinically, the supraspinous fossa matters because it houses the supraspinatus muscle belly, whose tendon passes laterally beneath the acromion to insert on the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus, the common site for degenerative rotator cuff tearing and a frequent target in postoperative counseling after arthroscopic repair. The crisp delineation of the scapular spine helps orient learners to the separation between supraspinatus and infraspinatus compartments, a useful mental map when correlating physical exam findings with MRI reports that localize edema, atrophy, or retraction to the supraspinatus fossa. Attention to the posterior bony relief also supports teaching the course of the suprascapular nerve and vessels as they approach the suprascapular notch on the superior border, a location implicated in entrapment neuropathy with denervation changes in the supraspinatus (and sometimes infraspinatus) muscle. Use this illustration in gross anatomy and kinesiology modules covering scapulothoracic mechanics, or in orthopaedic and sports medicine teaching sets that pair posterior scapular landmarks with rotator cuff pathology and surgical portals. It also suits figure plates for textbooks and patient-facing materials describing subacromial impingement and supraspinatus tendinopathy. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.