Scapula of a Human Male With Multiple Fractures, Posterior View

Description

Posteriorly, the left scapula is presented against the posterior thoracic wall, with fracture lines crossing the scapular body and propagating toward the scapular spine and acromion process. The supraspinous and infraspinous fossae are readable as shallow posterior concavities, bounded by the medial (vertebral) border medially and the lateral (axillary) border laterally, with comminuted fragments clustered near the lateral angle. Portions of the adjacent rib cage and proximal humerus sit lateral and inferior to the scapula, framing the scapulothoracic and glenohumeral relationships even from a posterior perspective. Red perifocal highlighting tracks the fracture planes and expected periosteal and soft tissue reaction. Scapular fractures are uncommon and usually reflect high-energy trauma, so the pattern and location matter, not just the presence of a crack. Disruption near the scapular neck, spine, or acromion can destabilize the superior shoulder suspensory complex (a “floating shoulder” when paired with clavicular injury), alter the glenoid’s functional orientation, and complicate deltoid and trapezius mechanics due to loss of a stable acromial and scapular spine platform. Posterior fracture lines also map closely to the course of the suprascapular nerve at the suprascapular notch and spinoglenoid notch, a practical correlation when weakness of supraspinatus or infraspinatus follows trauma. Small details change management. Use this artwork for orthopedic trauma teaching on scapular body versus neck fractures, CT correlation and surgical planning discussions (including posterior Judet-type approaches), and rehab content addressing scapulothoracic dyskinesis after fracture healing. It also fits upper limb anatomy and kinesiology modules where students need a clear posterior bony landmark map anchored to the ribs and proximal humerus. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.