Fractured Scapula, Posterior View

Description

Presented in posterior view, the male scapula is oriented with the spine of the scapula running transversely to separate the supraspinous fossa superiorly from the infraspinous fossa inferiorly, while the acromion projects laterally as the continuation of the scapular spine toward the shoulder. A fracture line tracks across the dorsal surface and extends into the supraspinous fossa, with additional cracking suggested toward the lateral scapular margin approaching the glenoid region. Red stress highlighting follows the fracture pattern, drawing attention to the cortical disruption along the posterior blade and around the base of the spine. Surface contouring and shading clarify the posterior landmarks used for palpation and surgical orientation. Posterior scapular fractures usually signal high-energy trauma, most often from a direct blow to the posterior shoulder girdle or as part of a polytrauma pattern with rib and pulmonary injury. Extension toward the glenoid neck raises concern for altered glenohumeral congruity and later instability, while involvement near the spine and acromion can disturb the origins of supraspinatus and infraspinatus and contribute to painful scapulothoracic motion. Reduction planning often hinges on how the fracture relates to the scapular spine, lateral border, and glenoid, because these define common fixation corridors in posterior approaches. Use this illustration for teaching posterior shoulder girdle anatomy and fracture classification in gross anatomy, orthopaedics, emergency medicine, and trauma surgery modules, or as a plate figure for manuscripts on scapular body, spine, or glenoid-neck fractures and their operative indications. It also suits patient-facing education when explaining why a seemingly isolated scapula fracture warrants chest evaluation and follow-up imaging. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.